Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium

ABSTRACT

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degradation is central to the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a growing and currently incurable form of blindness.

Due to its key role in maintaining the retinal structure and homeostasis, cell replacement of the RPE monolayer has emerged as a promising therapy to rescue visual acuity in AMD patients.

Thanks to the tremendous progress of pluripotent stem cell technologies over the last decade, a potentially unlimited new source for RPE transplantation has reached clinical trials. This review summarizes the methods by which pluripotent stem cell-based RPE cells are produced for transplantation, the delivery methods currently being adopted and the latest clinical outcomes with regard to the treatment of AMD.

KEYWORDS:

• Age-related macular degeneration
• retinal pigment epithelium
• pluripotent stem cells
• regenerative medicine
• cell therapy
• stem cells
• retina

Declaration of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Lincy Foundation, USA, The London Project To Cure Blindness: Funding Towards The Production Of A Cell Based Therapy For Late Stage Age-Related Macular Degeneration - [P12761]; Anonymous Donor, USA, Establishment of The London Project to Cure Blindness - Donation; Macular Disease Society Studentship – Donation; CIRM (California Institute of Regenerative Medicine) [LA1_C2-02086]; MRC, Stem Cell Based Treatment Strategy For Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) [G1000730]; Pfizer.