This early research paves the way for circumventing the problem of tissue availability in many parts of the world. While most Americans who need a corneal transplant can receive one, in many countries limited supplies of donor tissue, compounded by the complexity and cost of tissue recovery, often restrict transplant procedures to cases of severe, end-stage disease. In many societies, particularly Asian nations, social, cultural and religious factors related to donating tissue exacerbate the shortages. One in five American adults who undergoes corneal transplantation experiences tissue rejection, and in children the odds increase to 50 percent or higher. The UCSF scientists are also exploring the use of gene therapy to treat corneal endothelial cells before the occurrence of end-stage disease.
Cells treated in such fashion are able to better withstand injury and degeneration.
The work being carried out in Hwang's lab builds on that of UCSF researchers in the 1970s, who successfully transplanted corneal endothelial cells from cow eyes into the eyes of rabbits and cats. Search Copyright 1998 Regents of the University of California. All rights Reserved. Please direct all comments and questions to the Daybreak Editor. Please contact the UC Web Developer for questions of a technical nature.