Stem Cells in Large Animal Models of Retinal and Neurological Disease
Abstract
The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is notable in terms of complexity and sophistication, but also for a very limited regenerative ability in the face of injury and disease. While it is not uncommon to find remarkable regenerative capabilities in the CNS tissues of fish and amphibian species, similar findings are much more limited in reptiles and quite difficult to replicate in mammals. One method used to circumvent this inherent limitation has been the use of fetal tissue transplantation which has resulted in evidence of graft survival, integration and functional repair in a number of rat [1, 2] and also mouse models. Nevertheless, the use of fetal tissue grafts is generally impractical as a source of donor material and of relatively limited utility in the adult human eye [3]. Stem cell transplantation has more recently emerged as a potential treatment modality that offers even greater potential for tissue integration, while also being more scalable for widespread therapeutic use.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA619985
Entities
People
- Budd A. Tucker
- Chee G. Liew
- Henry Klassen
- Heuy-ching Wang
- Morten La Cour
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research