Modulation of Ocular Inflammation by Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Abstract
Ocular injury and inflammations are commonly treated with non-specific anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids. These non-specific treatments typically target both pathogenic and regulatory cells of the immune system, and are associated with side effects such as infection, cataract and glaucoma. Thus, there is a pressing need for new immunomodulatory strategies that not only inhibit pathogenic immune cells, but also promote critical regulatory immune cells that promote immune quiescence, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) have shown promise in exerting immunomodulatory functions, and present a novel and potentially effective alternative to the current non-specific immunosuppressive therapies. The goal of this project is to investigate the mechanisms by which BM-MSC modulate maturation and differentiation of immature myeloid progenitor cells into MDSC (away from pathogenic macrophages) to control ocular inflammation. We anticipate that these investigations will identify critical immunomodulatory factors which may be used to design novel, targeted strategies for treating eye injury and inflammation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1033987
Entities
People
- Afsaneh Amouzegar
- Sunil K Chauhan
Organizations
- Schepens Eye Research Institute