Xu WX, Su GY. Current applications and prospects of stem cells in the treatment of corneal diseases. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(6): 119826 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.119826]
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Xu WX, Su GY. Current applications and prospects of stem cells in the treatment of corneal diseases. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(6): 119826 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.119826]
Received: February 7, 2026 Revised: March 16, 2026 Accepted: April 27, 2026 Published online: June 26, 2026 Processing time: 139 Days and 1 Hours
Abstract
This review aims to explore the current applications and future prospects of stem cells in treating corneal diseases, focusing on their therapeutic mechanisms, clinical efficacy, and safety, while providing a comprehensive guide to the latest literature in this rapidly evolving field and highlighting the potential of stem cell therapies to address the limitations of traditional approaches. Recent advancements in stem cell therapies for corneal diseases include the use of limbal stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells, with notable developments such as the successful application of mesenchymal stem cells via hepatocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor-β3, and extracellular vesicle-mediated miR-21/146a transfer in promoting corneal epithelial repair and context-dependent angiogenic regulation, the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into corneal endothelial cells, and the integration of tissue engineering techniques such as 3D bioprinting, offering promising solutions for corneal regeneration and restoration of vision. The findings suggest that stem cell therapies could revolutionize the treatment of corneal diseases by providing sustainable cell sources and reducing immune rejection risks, although challenges remain in optimizing stem cell differentiation, ensuring long-term safety, and standardizing clinical protocols, with future research needing to focus on enhancing stem cell delivery methods, exploring gene editing applications, and addressing ethical and regulatory issues to facilitate the clinical translation of these therapies.
Core Tip: This review systematically elaborates stem cell-based therapies for corneal diseases, clarifying the therapeutic mechanisms of limbal stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, and highlights 3D bioprinting and gene editing as innovative technical supports, while pointing out key challenges in standardization, long-term safety and clinical translation for these therapies.
