Stanford lab uses novel approach to grow cornea cells

What’s unique about this undertaking by researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine is the discovery of a potentially groundbreaking method to fix damaged corneas by refurbishing the diseased tissue with healthy new cells.“One of the exciting possibilities of this cellular approach is that one donor cornea, which contributes a few parent cells, can generate enough cells to treat tens or hundreds of patients,” lead researcher Dr Jeffrey Goldberg told The Mercury News.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q:“One of the exciting possibilities of this cellular approach is that one donor cornea, which contributes a few parent cells, can generate enough cells to treat tens or hundreds of patients,”-WHO:Dr Jeffrey Goldberg, Lead Researcher of Stanford University School of Medicine}}The idea is to grow individual cells by harvesting progenitor or ‘mother’ cells from a deceased donor. The cells are then placed in a warm solution in petri dishes, where the cells produce new, young corneal cells.To date the research team has conducted the phase 1 trials for safety with success on 11 patients. They used magnetic nanoparticles – 1,500 times smaller than the diameter of human hair – to magnetise the young cells, and then inject th into the eye. Afterward, a magnetic mbrane gets placed on the surface of the eye, drawing the magnetised cells into the middle of the eye, to the back of the cornea.Once the magnetic nanoparticles fall off, they then exit the body through the patient’s urine.This procedure, according to Goldberg, is different from other transplant methods insofar as the corneal cells don’t have to be a perfect match and tissue rejection can be prevented with the use of topical eye drops.Goldberg predicts in the future, their approach could replace 80% of corneal transplants.The team plans to pursue the study and apply for Phase 2 trials to measure improvent of vision among patients. If successful, the new technique may help some of the millions of people around the world unable to obtain a donor cornea avoid a full transplant.