Table 1 Comparison of four types of stem/progenitor cells for RD clinical application
From: Progress of stem/progenitor cell-based therapy for retinal degeneration
Cell types | RPCs | ESCs | iPSCs | MSCs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Derivation/generation sources | Foetal and postnatal retina | Developing embryos | Terminally differentiated tissues | Developmentally mature organs |
Advantages | Simplicity, accessibility and safety (minimal trauma); immune privilege; ready neuroprotection; no tumourigenicity; no requirement of immunosuppressive drugs | Differentiation into various retinal cell types; providing abundant donor cells | Without ethical concerns; low risk of immune rejection (autologous hiPSC derivatives); gene therapy | Trophic support; immunosuppression |
Disadvantages | Low rate of cell proliferation | Ethical concerns; tumourigenicity; requirement of immunosuppressive treatment throughout life | Low differentiation efficiency; biosafety concerns (e.g., genetic abnormalities) | Low rate of cell migration and differentiation |