Abstract
Purpose :
To investigate the safety of transplantation of the autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (ABMSCs) into the subretinal space for the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
Methods :
Patients diagnosed with PDR were enrolled in this study followed the inclusion criteria. All patients were examined specially in ophthalmology and treated with ABMSC transplantation in the subretinal space，and were followed up for 12 months after transplantation.
Results :
Four patients diagnosed as PDR were enrolled in this study. All patients were performed ABMSC transplantation, and no one felt discomfort after treatment. FFA and OCT showed that the transplanted cells were present in the subretinal space until 1 month after transplantation. One patient diagnosed as macular edema preoperatively was relived gradually after transplantation, and effect lasted 3 months after transplantation. BCVA of the two subjects were improved from HM to 20/20（84 ETDRS）,and from CF to 20/200（38 ETDRS） after transplantation separately, and of the other two stable. All patients underwent panretinal photocoagulatio 3 months after transplantation, and the follow-up treatment complied with the routine of post-vitrectomy for diabetic retinopathy, no complications occurred.
Conclusions :
Subretinal transplantation of ABMSC for PDR is safe. The transplanted cells showed local anti-inflammatory effect, and no effect on cell proliferation or circulatory improvement were observed.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.