Stem cell-based treatments have been extensively explored in the last few decades to develop therapeutic strategies aimed at providing effective alternatives for those human pathologies in which surgical or pharmacological therapies produce limited effects. Among stem cells of different sources, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer several advantages, such as the absence of ethical concerns, easy harvesting, low immunogenicity and reduced tumorigenesis risks. Other than a multipotent differentiation ability, MSCs can release extracellular vesicles conveying proteins, mRNA and microRNA. Thanks to these properties, new therapeutic approaches have been designed for the treatment of various pathologies, including ocular diseases. In this review, the use of different MSCs and different administration strategies are described for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa. In a large number of investigations, positive results have been obtained by in vitro experiments and by MSC administration in animal models. Most authors agree that beneficial effects are likely related to MSC paracrine activity. Based on these considerations, many clinical trials have already been carried out. Overall, although some adverse effects have been described, promising outcomes are reported. It can be assumed that in the near future, safer and more effective protocols will be developed for more numerous clinical applications to improve the quality of life of patients affected by eye diseases.

中文翻译：

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间充质干细胞用于治疗眼病的潜在治疗应用。

在过去的几十年中，人们对基于干细胞的治疗进行了广泛的探索，以开发旨在为那些手术或药物治疗效果有限的人类病理提供有效替代方案的治疗策略。在不同来源的干细胞中，间充质干细胞 (MSC) 具有多种优势，例如没有伦理问题、易于收集、低免疫原性和降低肿瘤发生风险。除了多能分化能力外，MSCs 还可以释放细胞外囊泡，运送蛋白质、mRNA 和 microRNA。由于这些特性，已经设计了新的治疗方法来治疗各种病理，包括眼部疾病。在这次审查中，描述了使用不同的 MSCs 和不同的给药策略来治疗糖尿病性视网膜病变、青光眼和视网膜色素变性。在大量的调查中，取得了积极的结果体外实验和动物模型中的 MSC 给药。大多数作者同意有益的影响可能与 MSC 旁分泌活动有关。基于这些考虑，已经进行了许多临床试验。总体而言，尽管已经描述了一些不利影响，但报告了有希望的结果。可以假设，在不久的将来，将会为更多的临床应用开发更安全、更有效的方案，以提高受眼病影响的患者的生活质量。