Transplantation of limbal derived MSCs grown on contact lenses in dogs with dry eye syndrome - can stem cells help?

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), also known as “dry eye syndrome”, is a common ocular disease in dogs, caused by inflammation of the lacrimal gland, resulting in decreased tear production. Efforts are being made to develop alternative therapies in order to prevent lifelong use of drugs for patients with KCS. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to be effective in the treatment of many immune-mediated diseases in human and animal models due to their immunoregulatory properties. The aim of this study was to transplant limbal mesenchymal stem cells (LMSCs) to the ocular surface on contact lenses and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the LMSCs by clinical examination findings. The animals were randomly divided into study and control groups. The LMSC group (n = 10) received LMSCs (at least 2×106 cells) cultured on contact lenses. The conventional treatment group (n = 10) received artificial tears, topical 0.05% Cs A, and antibiotic eye drops, 3 times a day for 4 weeks. The Schirmer test, tear break-up time, impression cytology, Rose Bengal staining, and tear osmolarity were measured in all patients. The findings of the pre-treatment, two weeks and four weeks after the treatment, were evaluated statistically. In both groups, significant improvement was present compared to the pre-treatment findings. However, there was no significant difference between the groups. KCS treatment using LMSCs produced on contact lenses is promising, with its ease of application, non-immunogenic properties and single dose administration.