A recent breakthrough by scientists may have cured a disease that causes blindness in millions of people using stem cells.

University of Oslo researchers have been using stem cells obtained from patient’s oral cavities to treat a blindness-causing illness. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), is caused by damage to the limbal cells of the eye. Limbal cell damage may be caused by genetic disorders, burning, surgeries,  radiation, infection, drug use or the use of contact lenses. The disease affects approximately 1.5 million people worldwide.

Scientists tried using stem cells from the oral cavity to stimulate the growth of new limbal cells in the eye.  By using a patient’s own stem cells, doctors could avoid the risk of rejection and the strong immunosuppressive drugs often required. Immunosuppressive drugs cause some very nasty side effects including bruising, bleeding, lower back pain and fever. They also weaken the patient’s immune system which can sometimes lead to complications.

Researchers are now looking at the best ways to transport the stem cells after they have been cultured at the laboratory. One of the researchers involved, Rakibul Islam explains the necessity of transportable stem cells: “Today, cells from the oral cavity are being cultivated for treatment of blind at a few specialized centers in the world. By investigating the most optimal conditions for storing and transporting the cultivated tissue, we will be able to make this treatment available worldwide”

Working in conjunction with Harvard Medical School, Islam has discovered that the cultured stem cells transport well between 12 to 16 degrees Celsius. The LSCD trial has treated 250 people so far with 75% experiencing an improvement in their condition.

Source:  Certain Types Of Blindness May Be Cured Using Stem Cells From The Oral Cavity

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