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World J Stem Cells. May 26, 2025; 17(5): 103100
Published online May 26, 2025. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i5.103100
Stem cell therapy for retinal pigment epithelium disorders
Francesco Saverio Sorrentino, Francesco Parmeggiani, Lorenzo Gardini, Luigi Fontana, Mutali Musa, Caterina Gagliano, Marco Zeppieri
Francesco Saverio Sorrentino, Lorenzo Gardini, Department of Surgical Sciences, Unit of Ophthalmology, Ospedale Maggiore, Bologna 40100, Italy
Francesco Parmeggiani, Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, University of Ferrara, Ferrara 44121, Italy
Francesco Parmeggiani, ERN-EYE Network - Center for Retinitis Pigmentosa of Veneto Region, Camposampiero Hospital, Padua 35010, Italy
Luigi Fontana, Department of Surgical Sciences, Ophthalmology Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Bologna, Bologna 40100, Italy
Mutali Musa, Department of Optometry, University of Benin, Benin 300283, Nigeria
Mutali Musa, Department of Ophthalmology, Centre for Sight Africa, Onitsha 434112, Nigeria
Caterina Gagliano, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, Enna 9410, Italy
Caterina Gagliano, Mediterranean Foundation, G.B. Morgagni, Catania 95125, Italy
Marco Zeppieri, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, Udine 33100, Italy
Marco Zeppieri, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34129, Italy
Co-corresponding authors: Caterina Gagliano and Marco Zeppieri.
Author contributions: Sorrentino FS, Parmeggiani F, and Gardini L performed the research, and drafted and wrote the manuscript; Fontana L and Musa M assisted in the writing and research of the manuscript; Fontana L assisted in the revisions of the manuscript; Zeppieri M and Gagliano C assisted in the conception, wrote the outline, the study design, writing, outline, completed the English/scientific editing and serve as co-corresponding authors. All authors provided final approval of the article.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Marco Zeppieri, MD, PhD, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, p. le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, Udine 33100, Italy. mark.zeppieri@asufc.sanita.fvg.it
Received: November 8, 2024
Revised: February 17, 2025
Accepted: April 16, 2025
Published online: May 26, 2025
Processing time: 199 Days and 18.6 Hours
Abstract

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction is involved in the advancement of numerous degenerative retinal illnesses, such as age-related macular degeneration and hereditary retinal abnormalities. Transplantation of RPE produced from stem cells has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to restore retinal function and prevent vision loss. However, other obstacles impede its clinical application, including immunological rejection, cell viability, functional integration, and the necessity for consistent differentiation techniques. This review offers a thorough examination of the molecular processes regulating RPE integrity, investigates recent progress in stem cell-derived RPE therapeutics, and addresses significant challenges to their broad implementation. Furthermore, we emphasize prospective avenues intended to enhance the safety, efficacy, and enduring success of RPE transplantation in clinical environments.

Keywords: Retinal pigment epithelium; Stem cell therapy; Retinal degeneration; Cell transplantation; Molecular stem cell mechanisms

Core Tip: There has been significant progress in research on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), with a particular focus on stem cell therapies and molecular discoveries that have the potential to treat retinopathies. The RPE is crucial for vision and for eye health. Studies have demonstrated the potential of using stem cell-derived RPE to cure retinopathies in their early stages. Understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in RPE development and differentiation are fundamental in identifying novel therapeutic approaches.