Mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of retinitis pigmentosa: short review

The management of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and its progression has always been a difficult issue, but promising developments have been shown by the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). It has thus been evidenced how these cells have significant paracrine and immunomodulatory properties: they secrete trophic factors that stimulate RPE or that are similar to those produced by RPE. In studies using animal models, MSCs have been found to be effective in stopping the progression of retinal degeneration and for rescuing photoreceptors in the dormant phase. Furthermore these cells are hypoimmunogenic and have been shown to suppress chronic inflammation, prevent apoptosis and stimulate progenitor cells in the retina promoting self-repair mechanisms. Previous studies have already evidenced how grafting autologous mesenchymal cells, in a scleral pocket above the choroid, with the limoli retinal restoration technique (LRRT) could exert a beneficial effect on the residual retinal cells in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This surgical procedure can improve the clinical and rehabilitative prognostic parameters in RP patients even though further researches and studies will be needed to evaluate its efficacy.