Shi Weiyun / Xie Lixin / Zhou Qingjun team found a new idea of hESC / hipscs derived corneal endothelial precursor cells combined with nicotinamide in the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction
Corneal endothelium maintains corneal transparency through barrier and pump function. The proliferation ability of adult corneal endothelial cells is limited. When the density is lower than the critical value, endothelial function will be decompensated, resulting in corneal edema, pain and even blindness. Corneal transplantation is the main clinical treatment at present, but the lack of corneal donors in China seriously limits the restoration of vision.
Shi Weiyun, Xie Lixin and Zhou Qingjun from the Institute of Ophthalmology affiliated to Shandong First Medical University have long been committed to the basic research on the application of embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (hESC / hipscs) - derived cells in the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction. On January 4, 2022, the research results were published in the Journal of clinical investigation (if: 14.808), with the title of long term internal recovery by simultaneous delivery of hpsc derived internal precursors and nicotinamide.
This paper first verified the safety and effectiveness of hESC / hipscs derived corneal endothelial precursor cells combined with nicotinamide in the treatment of corneal endothelial decompensation through conventional and large animal models, and proved that nicotinamide can promote the functional maturation of transplanted cells in vivo by inhibiting the aging and endothelial mesenchymal transformation of transplanted cells, And further clarify the different mechanisms of long-term function of transplanted cells in different animal models, so as to provide new ideas and schemes for the treatment of corneal endothelial decompensation. The research was completed with the support of the academic improvement plan of Shandong First Medical University, the national key basic research and development plan, the Taishan scholar plan and other projects.
