Rekindling Vision: Innovative Strategies for Treating Retinal Degeneration

Retinal degeneration, characterized by the progressive loss of photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium cells, and/or ganglion cells, is a leading cause of vision impairment. These diseases are generally classified as inherited (e.g., retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease) or acquired (e.g., age...

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Published in:International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 26; no. 9; p. 4078
Main Authors: Khan, Irfan, Ramzan, Faiza, Tayyab, Haroon, Damji, Karim F.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 25.04.2025
MDPI
Subjects:
Animals
Apoptosis
Body fat
Bone marrow
Cell death
Cytokines
Disease
Gene Editing
Genes
Genetic aspects
Genetic Therapy - methods
Glaucoma
Growth factors
Humans
Illnesses
Immunology
Inflammation
Macular degeneration
Photoreceptors
Regenerative Medicine - methods
Retina
Retinal Degeneration - therapy
Review
Stem Cell Transplantation - methods
Stem cells
Tissue engineering
Germany
Pakistan
stem cells
vision
extracellular vesicles
retina
molecules
gene therapy
vision restoration
ISSN:1422-0067, 1661-6596, 1422-0067
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Retinal degeneration, characterized by the progressive loss of photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium cells, and/or ganglion cells, is a leading cause of vision impairment. These diseases are generally classified as inherited (e.g., retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease) or acquired (e.g., age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma) ocular disorders that can lead to blindness. Available treatment options focus on managing symptoms or slowing disease progression and do not address the underlying causes of these diseases. However, recent advancements in regenerative medicine offer alternative solutions for repairing or protecting degenerated retinal tissue. Stem and progenitor cell therapies have shown great potential to differentiate into various retinal cell types and can be combined with gene editing, extracellular vesicles and exosomes, and bioactive molecules to modulate degenerative cellular pathways. Additionally, gene therapy and neuroprotective molecules play a crucial role in enhancing the efficacy of regenerative approaches. These innovative strategies hold the potential to halt the progression of retinal degenerative disorders, repair or replace damaged cells, and improve visual function, ultimately leading to a better quality of life for those affected.
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ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms26094078