This book discusses why specific diseases are being targeted for cell-based retinal therapy, what evidence exists that justifies optimism for this approach, and what challenges must be managed in order to bring this technology from the laboratory into routine clinical practice. There are a number of unanswered questions (e.g., surgical approach to cell delivery, management of immune response, optimum cell type to transplant) that very likely are not going to be answered until human trials are undertaken, but there is a certain amount of “de-risking” that can be done with preclinical experimentation. This book is essential reading for scientists, clinicians, and advanced students in stem cell research, cell biology, and ophthalmology.

In this volume, some of the leading authorities present their exploration of applications of stem cell therapy to the treatment of major causes of blindness, including degenerative diseases and glaucoma. The diagnostic approach to patients, general concepts of cell-based therapy, immunological considerations, approaches to cell delivery (including engineered scaffolds), combined cell and gene therapy, nanomedicine applications to cell therapy and regulatory issues pertaining to manufacture and production are all considered in detail. The book serves as an excellent introduction to a field that is now entering early-stage clinical trials and promises to operate at the leading edge of regenerative medicine. Retina specialists, general ophthalmologists as well as researchers will find here a wealth of information on the translational aspects of cell-based therapies. Further, business executives and students interested in understanding the potential applications of stem cell therapy to retinal degenerative disease and glaucoma will also find this book informative reading.

This book familiarizes the reader with the current landscape of cell-based therapies for the treatment of retinal disease, including diseases that affect the choriocapillaris, retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptors, and retinal ganglion cells. Instead of utilizing a disease-centric approach to the topic, this book—edited by two world-renowned stem cell scientists—focuses on strategies for developing and transplanting the cells. This includes the creation of replacement cells, cell-based neuroprotection, and in vitro disease modeling and testing. The final chapters briefly review parallel approaches that do not directly utilize cellular transplantation. The use of cellular transplantation to treat retinal disease has recently become a viable and exciting therapeutic approach. The visibility of the retina and its laminar cellular architecture render it an ideal organ for the development of surgically delivered cellular therapies. Having an in-depth understanding of the current state of cell therapy for the eye is an essential first step toward utilizing similar approaches in other organs. Ophthalmologists, translational clinician-scientists, stem cell scientists, and researchers interested in eye disease will find Cellular Therapies for Retinal Disease: A Strategic Approach essential reading and it is also suitable for workshops or courses at the undergraduate or Ph.D. level.

This book discusses why specific diseases are being targeted for cell-based retinal therapy, what evidence exists that justifies optimism for this approach, and what challenges must be managed in order to bring this technology from the laboratory into routine clinical practice. There are a number of unanswered questions (e.g., surgical approach to cell delivery, management of immune response, optimum cell type to transplant) that very likely are not going to be answered until human trials are undertaken, but there is a certain amount of "de-risking" that can be done with preclinical experimentation. This book is essential reading for scientists, clinicians, and advanced students in stem cell research, cell biology, and ophthalmology.

This book discusses applications of pluripotent stem cells to study eye disease in vitro and to create novel therapies for degenerative eye diseases. Chapters are contributed by experts in the field and cover such topics as the use of pluripotent stem cells in 2D and 3D engineering of ocular tissues for disease modelling and drug testing as well as approaches to replace degenerated RPE and photoreceptors in macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Pluripotent Stem Cells in Eye Disease Therapy presents a comprehensive discussion of basic science and clinical applications and is an indispensable resource for everyone from advanced graduate students to advanced professionals who want to learn about the potential of stem cell biology and its role in the field of retinal diseases.

This book will contain the proceedings of the XIV International Symposium on Retinal Degeneration (RD2010), held July 13-17, 2010, in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada. The volume will present representative state-of-the-art research in almost all areas of retinal degenerations, ranging from cytopathologic, physiologic, diagnostic and clinical aspects; animal models; mechanisms of cell death; candidate genes, cloning, mapping and other aspects of molecular genetics; and developing potential therapeutic measures such as gene therapy and neuroprotective agents for potential pharmaceutical therapy.

This book provides an overview of the types, sources, and applications of stem cells in regenerating various ocular tissues, with a perspective on both potential applications of stem cells and possible challenges. The scope of the chapters include both preclinical and clinical applications, including stem cell-derived therapies based on endogenous tissue repair; stem cell transplantation and cell replacement therapy; gene therapy; and in vitro disease modelling. Additionally, the volume presents applications in both anterior and posterior ocular disease, with a particular focus on diseases of the ocular surface, cornea, limbus, and retina, including inherited retinal dystrophies as well as acquired diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration. Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy for the Eye is an ideal book for advanced researchers in stem cell and ocular biology as well as clinical ophthalmologists, and will be of interest to readers with backgrounds in developmental biology and bioengineering. This book also Skillfully reviews cutting-edge advances in stem cell biology as applied to regenerative medicine and ocular disease Provides expert viewpoints on key hurdles and challenges to successful implementation of stem cell-derived therapies in the clinical domain Offers a multi-disciplinary, broad understanding of cell-based therapies for ocular diseases by incorporating perspectives from biomedical scientists, physicians, and engineers Examines the connection between cell therapy and gene editing, in particular relation to ocular disease