Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Dependent Attenuation of Tear Hyperosmolarity and Immune Cell-Driven Inflammation in the Eyes of Patients with Dry Eye Disease

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic condition characterized by a decrease in tear production or an increase in tear evaporation, leading to inflammation and damage of the ocular surface. Dysfunction of ion channels, tear hyperosmolarity and immune cell-driven inflammation create a vicious...

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Main Authors: Carl Randall Harrell, Valentin Djonov, Ana Volarevic, Aleksandar Arsenijevic, Vladislav Volarevic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Diseases
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/12/11/269
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author Carl Randall Harrell
Valentin Djonov
Ana Volarevic
Aleksandar Arsenijevic
Vladislav Volarevic
author_facet Carl Randall Harrell
Valentin Djonov
Ana Volarevic
Aleksandar Arsenijevic
Vladislav Volarevic
author_sort Carl Randall Harrell
collection DOAJ
description Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic condition characterized by a decrease in tear production or an increase in tear evaporation, leading to inflammation and damage of the ocular surface. Dysfunction of ion channels, tear hyperosmolarity and immune cell-driven inflammation create a vicious circle responsible for the pathological changes in the eyes of DED patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult, rapidly proliferating stem cells that produce a large number of immunoregulatory, angiomodulatory, and growth factors that efficiently reduce tear hyperosmolarity-induced pathological changes, inhibit harmful immune response, and provide trophic support to the injured corneal and conjuctival epithelial cells, goblet cells and acinar cells in lacrimal glands of DED patients. Methods: An extensive research in the literature was implemented in order to elucidate the role of MSCs in the attenuation of tear hyperosmolarity and eye inflammation in patients suffering from DED. Results: Findings obtained in preclinical and pilot clinical studies demonstrated that MSCs reduced tear hyperomsolaity-induced pathological changes and suppressed immune cell-driven eye inflammation. Additionally, MSC-based therapy managed to successfully address the most severe DED-related conditions and complications. Conclusions: MSCs should be considered as potentially new therapeutic agents for the treatment of severe DED.
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spelling doaj-art-bef2877b02084158ba0ddedd5fd292412025-08-20T02:28:12ZengMDPI AGDiseases2079-97212024-10-01121126910.3390/diseases12110269Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Dependent Attenuation of Tear Hyperosmolarity and Immune Cell-Driven Inflammation in the Eyes of Patients with Dry Eye DiseaseCarl Randall Harrell0Valentin Djonov1Ana Volarevic2Aleksandar Arsenijevic3Vladislav Volarevic4Regenerative Processing Plant, LLC, 34176 US Highway 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684, USAInstitute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 2, 3012 Bern, SwitzerlandDepartment of Psychology, Center for Research on Harmful Effects of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 69 Svetozara Markovica Street, 34000 Kragujevac, SerbiaDepartments of Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Research on Harmful Effects of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 69 Svetozara Markovica Street, 34000 Kragujevac, SerbiaDepartments of Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Research on Harmful Effects of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 69 Svetozara Markovica Street, 34000 Kragujevac, SerbiaBackground: Dry eye disease (DED) is a chronic condition characterized by a decrease in tear production or an increase in tear evaporation, leading to inflammation and damage of the ocular surface. Dysfunction of ion channels, tear hyperosmolarity and immune cell-driven inflammation create a vicious circle responsible for the pathological changes in the eyes of DED patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult, rapidly proliferating stem cells that produce a large number of immunoregulatory, angiomodulatory, and growth factors that efficiently reduce tear hyperosmolarity-induced pathological changes, inhibit harmful immune response, and provide trophic support to the injured corneal and conjuctival epithelial cells, goblet cells and acinar cells in lacrimal glands of DED patients. Methods: An extensive research in the literature was implemented in order to elucidate the role of MSCs in the attenuation of tear hyperosmolarity and eye inflammation in patients suffering from DED. Results: Findings obtained in preclinical and pilot clinical studies demonstrated that MSCs reduced tear hyperomsolaity-induced pathological changes and suppressed immune cell-driven eye inflammation. Additionally, MSC-based therapy managed to successfully address the most severe DED-related conditions and complications. Conclusions: MSCs should be considered as potentially new therapeutic agents for the treatment of severe DED.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/12/11/269mesenchymal stem cellsdry eye diseasetear hyperosmolarityimmune cell-driven inflammationdysfunction of ion channels
spellingShingle Carl Randall Harrell
Valentin Djonov
Ana Volarevic
Aleksandar Arsenijevic
Vladislav Volarevic
Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Dependent Attenuation of Tear Hyperosmolarity and Immune Cell-Driven Inflammation in the Eyes of Patients with Dry Eye Disease
Diseases
mesenchymal stem cells
dry eye disease
tear hyperosmolarity
immune cell-driven inflammation
dysfunction of ion channels
title Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Dependent Attenuation of Tear Hyperosmolarity and Immune Cell-Driven Inflammation in the Eyes of Patients with Dry Eye Disease
title_full Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Dependent Attenuation of Tear Hyperosmolarity and Immune Cell-Driven Inflammation in the Eyes of Patients with Dry Eye Disease
title_fullStr Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Dependent Attenuation of Tear Hyperosmolarity and Immune Cell-Driven Inflammation in the Eyes of Patients with Dry Eye Disease
title_full_unstemmed Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Dependent Attenuation of Tear Hyperosmolarity and Immune Cell-Driven Inflammation in the Eyes of Patients with Dry Eye Disease
title_short Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Dependent Attenuation of Tear Hyperosmolarity and Immune Cell-Driven Inflammation in the Eyes of Patients with Dry Eye Disease
title_sort molecular mechanisms responsible for mesenchymal stem cell dependent attenuation of tear hyperosmolarity and immune cell driven inflammation in the eyes of patients with dry eye disease
topic mesenchymal stem cells
dry eye disease
tear hyperosmolarity
immune cell-driven inflammation
dysfunction of ion channels
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/12/11/269
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