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Advantages of the Eye as a Target Organ for Cell-Based Therapy in the Central Nervous System

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Cell-Based Therapy for Degenerative Retinal Disease

Part of the book series: Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine ((STEMCELL))

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Abstract

Advantages of the eye as a target organ for cell-based therapy are as follows. The anatomy and physiology of the retina have been characterized in detail. Surgical access to the vitreous cavity and the subretinal space are well established with an excellent safety record. The eye is an immune privileged organ, particularly the subretinal space, which may reduce the need for long-term immune suppression of transplant recipients. High-resolution noninvasive imaging technology permits visualization and functional assessment of the transplanted cells in situ. These imaging and monitoring capabilities permit development of an iterative pathway to successful transplant paradigms in human patients as well as precise modulation of immunotherapy should it be needed.

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Acknowledgements

Supported in part by the New Jersey Lions Eye Research Foundation, The Joseph J. and Marguerite DiSepio Research Fund, The Eng Family Fund for Excellence in Ophthalmology, and Robert and Patty Wigder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA

    Marco A. Zarbin

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  1. Marco A. Zarbin
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA

    Marco A. Zarbin

  2. Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Mandeep S. Singh

  3. Department of Surgery School of Medicine & Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Ricardo P. Casaroli-Marano

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Zarbin, M.A. (2019). Advantages of the Eye as a Target Organ for Cell-Based Therapy in the Central Nervous System. In: Zarbin, M., Singh, M., Casaroli-Marano, R. (eds) Cell-Based Therapy for Degenerative Retinal Disease . Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05222-5_1

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