Light and electron microscopic study of the eyelids, conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue and lacrimal gland in Bilgorajska Goose (Anser anser)

Lacrimal gland regeneration: The unmet challenges and promise for dry eye therapy

DED (Dry eye disease) is a common multifactorial disease of the ocular surface and the tear film. DED has gained attention globally, with millions of people affected.. Although treatment strategies for DED have shifted towards Tear Film Oriented Therapy (TFOT), all the existing strategies fall under standard palliative care when addressed as a long-term goal. Therefore, different approaches have been explored by various groups to uncover alternative treatment strategies that can contribute to a full regeneration of the damaged lacrimal gland. For this, multiple groups have investigated the role of lacrimal gland (LG) cells in DED based on their regenerating, homing, and differentiating capabilities. In this review, we discuss in detail therapeutic mechanisms and regenerative strategies that can potentially be applied for lacrimal gland regeneration as well as their therapeutic applications. This review mainly focuses on Aqueous Deficiency Dry Eye Disease (ADDE) caused by lacrimal gland dysfunction and possible future treatment strategies. The current key findings from cell and tissue-based regenerative therapy modalities that could be utilised to achieve lacrimal gland tissue regeneration are summarized. In addition, this review summarises the available literature from in vitro to in vivo animal studies, their limitations in relation to lacrimal gland regeneration and the possible clinical applications. Finally, current issues and unmet needs of cell-based therapies in providing complete lacrimal gland tissue regeneration are discussed.