The eye represents a highly specialized organ, with its main function being to convert light signals into electrical impulses. Any damage or disease of the eye induces a local inflammatory reaction that could be harmful for the specialized ocular cells. Therefore, the eye developed several immunoregulatory mechanisms which protect the ocular structures against deleterious immune reactions. This protection is ensured by the production of a variety of immunosuppressive molecules, which create the immune privilege of the eye. In addition, ocular cells are potent producers of numerous growth and trophic factors which support the survival and regeneration of diseased and damaged cells. If the immune privilege of the eye is interrupted and the regulatory mechanisms are not sufficiently effective, the eye disease can progress and result in worsening of vision or even blindness. In such cases, external immunotherapeutic interventions are needed. One perspective possibility of treatment is represented by mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC) therapy. MSCs, which can be administered intraocularly or locally into diseased site, are potent producers of various immunoregulatory and regenerative molecules. The main advantages of MSC therapy include the safety of the treatment, the possibility to use autologous (patient's own) cells, and observations that the therapeutic properties of MSCs can be intentionally regulated by external factors during their preparation. In this review, we provide a survey of the immunoregulatory and regenerative mechanisms in the eye and describe the therapeutic potential of MSC application for corneal damages and retinal diseases.

• Klíčová slova
• cell therapy, corneal damages, immunoregulation, mesenchymal stem cells, retinal diseases, tissue regeneration,
• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mezenchymální kmenové buňky * cytologie   MeSH
• nemoci retiny * terapie   MeSH
• poranění rohovky * terapie   MeSH
• transplantace mezenchymálních kmenových buněk * metody   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

In spite of intensive research, the molecular basis of allograft and xenograft rejection still remains not fully understood. The acute rejection of an allograft is associated with the intragraft Th1 cytokine response, while tolerance of an allograft or xenograft rejection is accompanied by a higher production of the Th2 cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. Nevertheless, these cytokines are not the final regulatory and effector molecules mediating transplantation reactions. Data indicate that the functioning of common molecules with enzymatic activities, such are inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), arginase, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) or indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), the bioavailability of their substrates (L-arginine, tryptophan, heme) and the cytotoxic and regulatory actions of their small gaseous products (NO, CO) can be the ultimate mechanisms responsible for effector or regulatory reactions. Using models of transplantation immunity and tolerance we show that T cell receptor-mediated recognition of allogeneic or xenogeneic antigens as well as the balance between immunity/tolerance induces distinct cytokine production profiles. The ratio between Th1 and Th2 cytokines efficiently regulates the expression of genes for common enzymes, such as iNOS, arginase, HO-1 and IDO. These enzymes may compete for substrates, such as L-arginine or tryptophan, and the final product of their activity are small molecules (NO, CO) displaying effector or regulatory functions of the immune system. Thus, it is suggested that in spite of the high immunological specificity of transplatation reaction, the ultimate players in regulatory and effector functions could be small and common molecules.

• Klíčová slova
• Arginase, Graft rejection, Immunoregulation, Macrophages, Nitric oxide, Th1/Th2 balance, Tolerance,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Ocular surface defects represent one of the most common causes of impaired vision or even blindness. For treatment, keratoplasty represents the first choice. However, if corneal defects are more extensive and associated with a limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency, corneal transplantation is not a sufficient therapeutic procedure and only viable approach to treatment is the transplantation of LSCs. When the LSC deficiency is a bilateral disorder, autologous LSCs are not available. The use of allogeneic LSCs requires strong immunosuppression, which leads to side-effects, and the treatment is not always effective. The alternative and perspective approach to the treatment of severe ocular surface injuries and LSC deficiency is offered by the transplantation of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These cells can be obtained from the bone marrow or adipose tissue of the particular patient, grow well in vitro and can be transferred, using an appropriate scaffold, onto the damaged ocular surface. Here they exert beneficial effects by possible direct differentiation into corneal epithelial cells, by immunomodulatory effects and by the production of numerous trophic and growth factors. Recent experiments utilizing the therapeutic properties of MSCs in animal models with a mechanically or chemically injured ocular surface have yielded promising results and demonstrated significant corneal regeneration, improved corneal transparency and a rapid healing process associated with the restoration of vision. The use of autologous MSCs thus represents a promising therapeutic approach and offers hope for patients with severe ocular surface injuries and LSC deficiency.

• MeSH
• autologní transplantace MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace MeSH
• buňky kostní dřeně cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• CD antigeny metabolismus   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mezenchymální kmenové buňky cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• mezibuněčné signální peptidy a proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• nanovlákna * MeSH
• nemoci rohovky chirurgie   MeSH
• pohyb buněk MeSH
• transplantace kmenových buněk metody   MeSH
• transplantace mezenchymálních kmenových buněk metody   MeSH
• tuková tkáň cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• CD antigeny MeSH
• mezibuněčné signální peptidy a proteiny MeSH