Harnessing an innate repair mechanism enhances success of retinal transplantation

Cell replacement therapies hold promise for many age-related diseases, but efforts to bring treatments to patients have not been very successful — in large part because the newly derived cells can’t integrate efficiently into tissues affected by the ravages of aging. This is poised to change. Researchers have harnessed a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory mechanism that repaired the eye and significantly enhanced the success of retinal regenerative therapies in mice. The results could be particularly significant for macular degeneration.