A Promising Strategy for Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: Intravitreal Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosome

Abstract

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a leading cause of optic nerve-related permanent visual impairment among individuals of over 50 years of age after glaucoma. Because of perplexing disorder regarding its pathogenesis, there is still no widely accepted and established treatment plan. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of the rare stem cell types that therapeutic agents for immunomodulation and ischemic tissue repair in clinical practice. However, there are certain disadvantages in using MSCs, such as potential tumorigenicity, need for autologous collection, and short survival time. Previous evidence suggested that MSC-exosomes significantly attenuated post-ischemic neuronal damage and induced long-term neuroprotection associated with enhanced angiogenesis in MSCs.