title: Bone Marrow-Derived Cells as a Therapeutic Approach to Optic Nerve Diseases.
abstract: Following optic nerve injury associated with acute or progressive diseases, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of adult mammals degenerate and undergo apoptosis. These diseases have limited therapeutic options, due to the low inherent capacity of RGCs to regenerate and due to the inhibitory milieu of the central nervous system. Among the numerous treatment approaches investigated to stimulate neuronal survival and axonal extension, cell transplantation emerges as a promising option. This review focuses on cell therapies with bone marrow mononuclear cells and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which have shown positive therapeutic effects in animal models of optic neuropathies. Different aspects of available preclinical studies are analyzed, including cell distribution, potential doses, routes of administration, and mechanisms of action. Finally, published and ongoing clinical trials are summarized.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Louise A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mesentier-Louro
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zaverucha-do-Valle
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Rosado-de-Castro
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Almir J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Silva-Junior
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Pimentel-Coelho
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rosalia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mendez-Otero
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Santiago