Author: Aldiyarbek Nurlan
Editor: Kigbaeva Kamila
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (USA) first discovered stem cells in the optic nerve region, which gave rise to a new theory of the development of glaucoma and, consequently, blindness. This information was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
More than three million Americans suffer from glaucoma, which results from damage to the optic nerve, causing blindness in 120,000 patients in the United States. This is usually associated with increased intraocular pressure. Blind spots may appear in the patient's field of vision, which tend to expand over time.
Dr. Bernstein and his team examined the optic nerve plate, which lies between the light-sensitive tissue of the retina at the back of the eye and the optic nerve. And also with the help of antibodies and genetically modified animals, the existence of stem cells of the plate was confirmed.
The authors of the work determined the correct combination of growth factors and other conditions for cell cultivation, the most favorable for the growth and reproduction of stem cells. Eventually, the research team found that progenitor cells can differentiate into several different types of nerve cells.
“This is the first time that neural progenitor cells have been found in the optic nerve. Without these cells, the nerve cannot repair itself from damage caused by glaucoma or other causes. This can lead to permanent vision loss and disability, ”notes Dr. Bernstein, one of the authors of this study.
The cells, called progenitor nerve cells, are not only present in the optic nerve tissue at birth, but they remain for decades, helping nourish the nerve fibers that form the optic nerve, scientists say. Without these cells, fibers can lose their resistance to stress and begin to break down, thereby damaging the optic nerve, which can ultimately lead to blindness.
"This exciting discovery could lead to major changes in the age-related diseases that cause vision loss," - says author E. Albert Rees. For the millions of people suffering from glaucoma, this study can provide hope for the future they can see!
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200730113101.htm
