New breakthroughs help blind people see their eyes

Scientists may have found a new treatment for blind people, after successful redevelopment of the cornea in the laboratory.

The authors of the study at the Massachusetts Institute of Eye and Ear Research believe that their work could help reverse a cause of blindness in humans. An important breakthrough in stem cell research has helped them for the first time successfully regenerate the cornea from an adult's stem cells.

Experts say their achievements will bring hope to burn patients, victims of chemical injuries and people with eye diseases. They found a way to promote the return of human corneal tissue to restore vision, using a molecule called ABCB5 , which acts as a marker of stem cells at the very edge of the cornea. hard to detect.

The researchers found a way to identify the ABCB5 molecule, which acts as a "marker" of stem cells at the edge of the cornea, which is difficult to detect but determines the regeneration of corneal tissue in the eye.(Photo: National News and Pictures)

According to a study report in Nature, this is also one of the first recorded examples of the creation of a tissue from stem cells, taken from an adult.

Stem cells in the corneal margin exist in the epithelial margin of the cornea of ​​the eye, which can help maintain and regenerate corneal tissue. Losing them due to injury or illness is one of the leading causes of blindness in humans.

Previously, tissue or cell transplants were used to restore the cornea. However, until now, medicine is not clear whether there are true corneal cells in the implant and the results are not compatible.

In the new study, experts have been able to use antibodies that identify ABCB5 "to point" essential stem cells in tissues from dead donors and use them to redevelop human corneas "properly. "Anatomically and fully functional in mice.

Dr. Bruce Ksander, co-author of the study, explains: "Stem cells on the cornea are very rare and successful transplants depend on these rare cells. Our discovery now makes recovery The corneal surface becomes easier. This is a good example of basic research that can be quickly applied. "