CINCINNATI—Adult bone marrow
stem cells may help cure certain genetic eye diseases, according to UC
researchers.
Scientists have
completed a study using mice which showed that bone marrow stem cells can switch
roles and produce keratocan, a natural protein involved in the growth of the
cornea—the transparent, outer layer of the eyeball. This ability of marrow cells
to “differentiate” into keratocan-producing cells might provide a means for
treating abnormal corneal cell growth in people. Winston Whei-Yang
Kao, PhD, professor of ophthalmology, and Hongshan Liu, PhD, research scientist
in the department of ophthalmology, will present their findings at the annual
meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology being held in
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., May 9 and10. In the laboratory,
the researchers induced corneal abnormalities that mimicked genetic eye
mutations and then injected bone marrow stem cells into the corneas to see if
they altered the mutations. The study showed
that after only one week, the abnormal corneas of animal models injected with
bone marrow stem cells began to change shape and heal.
Contact WATA
Follow Us
From WATA's Sponsor
- Gehrke & Associates, SC
is an intellectual property law firm that assists clients in realizing the value of their intellectual property through patent, trademark, and copyright protection, licensing and portfolio management. - Creative Protection
An informational blog by Gehrke & Associates, SC that covers copyright and trademark law. Also covers news and events of interest to authors, artists, publishers, programmers, musicians and others who may benefit from copyright or trademark protection. - Intellectual Property and Tech Law Reports
An informational blog covering breaking news and case law in the field of intellectual property.
