| abstract |
The present invention provides a method for treating retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and related retinopathic diseases. The method comprises administering to the retina of a mammal suffering from, or at risk of developing, retinopathy of prematurity or a related retinopathic disease an amount of cells from a vasculotrophic lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell population, effective to promote beneficial physiological revascularization of damaged areas of the retina and to ameliorate damage to the retina caused by the disease. Preferably, the mammal is a human patient. In one preferred embodiment, the lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell population is a lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell population comprising hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells (i.e., Lin− HSC). In another preferred embodiment, the lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell population is an isolated myeloid-like bone marrow (MLBM) cell population in which the majority of the cells are lineage negative and express CD44 antigen and CD11b antigen. As an alternative, for treatment of newborn infants, a lineage negative hematopoietic stem cell population can be isolated from umbilical cord vein blood. |