Scientists have discovered previously unknown cells in the human eye that could help restore vision lost due to common diseases, such as macular degeneration.
See also: UK: Lab-grown foods to be released soon
The researchers identified these cells in the retina, a light-sensitive structure at the back of the eye that is critical for vision. The cells were found in donated fetal tissue samples.
Additionally, the scientists identified the same cells in lab -grown models of human retinas . When they tried to transplant these models into mice with a common eye disorder, the rodents' vision was restored.
The retina detects light and converts it into signals that the brain can interpret to understand what we see. Retinal degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, diabetes, and physical injuries, and can lead to common eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
See also: Can we recover memories from a dead brain?
Current treatments for these conditions focus primarily on reducing the rate of deterioration of retinal cells and protecting healthy cells.
In the new study, the team examined the activity of cells in embryonic in the lab. The scientists discovered two types of retinal stem cells with promising regenerative properties: human retinal neural stem cells (hNRSCs) and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) stem cells.
The researchers found that both types of eye cells, located in the outer periphery of the retina, had the ability to reproduce. However, only hNRSCs could transform into other retinal cell types under the right conditions.
See also: Woman receives first double robotic lung transplant
When transplanted into the retinas of mice with a disease similar to color blindness, stem cells from the organoids transformed into retinal cells that are essential for detecting and processing light signals. These new retinal cells ultimately improved the mice's vision, compared to rodents that did not receive any cell transplants. This effect was observed throughout the experiment, which lasted up to 24 weeks. However, more research is needed to confirm the potential of these cells to restore vision in humans.
Source: livescience
