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Jin N, Sha W, Gao L. Shaping the Microglia in Retinal Degenerative Diseases Using Stem Cell Therapy: Practice and Prospects. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:741368. [PMID: 34966736 PMCID: PMC8710684 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.741368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative disease (RDD) refers to a group of diseases with retinal degeneration that cause vision loss and affect people's daily lives. Various therapies have been proposed, among which stem cell therapy (SCT) holds great promise for the treatment of RDDs. Microglia are immune cells in the retina that have two activation phenotypes, namely, pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes. These cells play an important role in the pathological progression of RDDs, especially in terms of retinal inflammation. Recent studies have extensively investigated the therapeutic potential of stem cell therapy in treating RDDs, including the immunomodulatory effects targeting microglia. In this review, we substantially summarized the characteristics of RDDs and microglia, discussed the microglial changes and phenotypic transformation of M1 microglia to M2 microglia after SCT, and proposed future directions for SCT in treating RDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Jin
- Senior Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Endocrinology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Sha
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lixiong Gao
- Senior Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
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2
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Huang J, Xian B, Peng Y, Zeng B, Li W, Li Z, Xie Y, Zhao M, Zhang H, Zhou M, Yu H, Wu P, Liu X, Huang B. Migration of pre-induced human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the transplanted to contralateral eye in mice. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:168. [PMID: 33691753 PMCID: PMC7945672 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02180-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Retina diseases may lead to blindness as they often afflict both eyes. Stem cell transplantation into the affected eye(s) is a promising therapeutic strategy for certain retinal diseases. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) are a good source of stem cells, but it is unclear whether pre-induced hPBMCs can migrate from the injected eye to the contralateral eye for bilateral treatment. We examine the possibility of bilateral cell transplantation from unilateral cell injection. Methods One hundred and sixty-one 3-month-old retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) mice were divided randomly into 3 groups: an untreated group (n = 45), a control group receiving serum-free Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) injection into the right subretina (n = 45), and a treatment group receiving injection of pre-induced hPBMCs into the right subretina (n = 71). Both eyes were examined by full-field electroretinogram (ERG), immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) at 1 and 3 months post-injection. Results At both 1 and 3 months post-injection, labeled pre-induced hPBMCs were observed in the retinal inner nuclear layer of the contralateral (left untreated) eye as well as the treated eye as evidenced by immunofluorescence staining for a human antigen. Flow cytometry of fluorescently label cells and qRT-PCR of hPBMCs genes confirmed that transplanted hPBMCs migrated from the treated to the contralateral untreated eye and remained viable for up to 3 months. Further, full-field ERG showed clear light-evoked a and b waves in both treated and untreated eyes at 3 months post-transplantation. Labeled pre-induced hPBMCs were also observed in the contralateral optic nerve but not in the blood circulation, suggesting migration via the optic chiasm. Conclusion It may be possible to treat binocular eye diseases by unilateral stem cell injection. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02180-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfa Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Bikun Xian
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,The Second People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuting Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Baozhu Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhiquan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yaojue Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Minglei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Hening Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Minyi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Huan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Peixin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Xing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Bing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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3
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Kaji H, Nagai N, Nishizawa M, Abe T. Drug delivery devices for retinal diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2018; 128:148-157. [PMID: 28690136 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases are a leading cause of irreversible blindness and visual impairment, affecting millions of people worldwide. Although intravitreal injection can directly deliver drugs to the posterior segment of the eye, it is invasive and associated with serious side effects. The design of drug delivery systems targeting the posterior segment of the eye in a less invasive manner has still been challenging because of various anatomical and physiological barriers. In this review, we provide an overview of the current implant device-based approaches used for treating retinal degenerative diseases. We then offer our perspectives on future directions and challenges that remain for developing more effective device-based therapies for retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Kaji
- Department of Finemechanics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-01 Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan.
| | - Nobuhiro Nagai
- Division of Clinical Cell Therapy, United Centers for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine (ART), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Matsuhiko Nishizawa
- Department of Finemechanics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-01 Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8579, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Abe
- Division of Clinical Cell Therapy, United Centers for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine (ART), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
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4
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Ischemic injury leads to extracellular matrix alterations in retina and optic nerve. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43470. [PMID: 28262779 PMCID: PMC5338032 DOI: 10.1038/srep43470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal ischemia occurs in a variety of eye diseases. Restrained blood flow induces retinal damage, which leads to progressive optic nerve degeneration and vision loss. Previous studies indicate that extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents play an important role in complex tissues, such as retina and optic nerve. They have great impact on de- and regeneration processes and represent major candidates of central nervous system glial scar formation. Nevertheless, the importance of the ECM during ischemic retina and optic nerve neurodegeneration is not fully understood yet. In this study, we analyzed remodeling of the extracellular glycoproteins fibronectin, laminin, tenascin-C and tenascin-R and the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) aggrecan, brevican and phosphacan/RPTPβ/ζ in retinae and optic nerves of an ischemia/reperfusion rat model via quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. A variety of ECM constituents were dysregulated in the retina and optic nerve after ischemia. Regarding fibronectin, significantly elevated mRNA and protein levels were observed in the retina following ischemia, while laminin and tenascin-C showed enhanced immunoreactivity in the optic nerve after ischemia. Interestingly, CSPGs displayed significantly increased expression levels in the optic nerve. Our study demonstrates a dynamic expression of ECM molecules following retinal ischemia, which strengthens their regulatory role during neurodegeneration.
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5
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Xu N, Chen Y, Dean KC, Lu X, Liu X, Wang W, Dean DC, Kaplan HJ, Gao L, Dong F, Liu Y. Sphere-Induced Rejuvenation of Swine and Human Müller Glia Is Primarily Caused by Telomere Elongation. Stem Cells 2017; 35:1579-1591. [PMID: 28152565 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Müller cells are the major supportive and protective glial cells in the retina with important functions in histogenesis and synaptogenesis during development, and in maintenance of mature neurons as they show to secrete various cytokines and manifest potentials of self-renewal and transdifferentiation into retinal neurons following injury in the vertebrate retinas. The swine retina has a visual streak structure similar to the human macular where cone photoreceptors are highly concentrated, thereby can serve as a better model for studying retinal diseases and for formulating cell-based therapeutics than the rodent retinas. Like most differentiated somatic mammalian cells, the isolated swine and human Müller glia become senescent over passages in culture, which restricts their potential application in basic and clinic researches. Here, we demonstrate that the senescence of swine and human Müller cells is caused by telomere attrition upon multiplications in vitro; and the senescent cells can be rejuvenated by sphere suspension culture. We also provide evidence that sphere-induced extension of telomeres in swine and human Müller glia is achieved by alternative lengthening of telomeres or/and by telomerase activation. Stem Cells 2017;35:1579-1591.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Kevin C Dean
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Xiaoqin Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Douglas C Dean
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Henry J Kaplan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Ling Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Fangtian Dong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yongqing Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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6
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Mohamed EM, Abdelrahman SA, Hussein S, Shalaby SM, Mosaad H, Awad AMB. Effect of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells administered by intravenous or intravitreal routes on cryo-induced retinal injury. IUBMB Life 2017; 69:188-201. [PMID: 28164440 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic optic neuropathy is an important cause of severe vision loss. So, many attempts were performed to transplant stem cells systemically or locally to regenerate the injured retina. In this study, we investigated the effect of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUBMSCs) on histological structure, apoptotic, antiapoptotic, oxidant and antioxidant markers in an experimental model of cryo-induced retinal damage in mice. Forty-eight mice were included with 4 major groups; group I contained 18 mice as controls. The others included 30 mice exposed to cryo-induced retinal injury and were subdivided into three equal groups: group II received no treatment after injury. Group III was intravenously injected with hUCBMSCs after injury and group IV received an intravitreal injection with hUCBMSCs into both eyes. Retinal tissues were used for histopathological, immunological and gene expression studies. Real time-PCR was performed to assess B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl2), Bcl2-associated X protein (bax), heme oxygenase-1 (hmox-1) and thioredoxin-2 (tnx-2) expression and to assess the differentiation of the stem cells into the retinal tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assess caspase-3, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Disturbed retinal structure was seen in cryo-injured mice while hUCBMSCs treated groups showed nearly normal structure. By real time-PCR, significantly reduced mRNA expressions of Bax and notably enhanced mRNA expression of Bcl-2, hmox-1 and txn-2 were demonstrated in retinal injured mice with hUCBMSCs treatment compared to those without. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis confirmed downregulation of 3-NT and caspase-3 and upregulation of bFGF after hUCBMSCs injection in injured retina. Furthermore, there was no differentiation of transplanted stem cells into the retinal tissue. In conclusions, hUCBMSCs could improve the morphological retinal structure in cryo-induced retinal damage model by modulation of the oxidant-apoptotic status and by increased the expression of bFGF. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(3):188-201, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M Mohamed
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Shaimaa A Abdelrahman
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Samia Hussein
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Sally M Shalaby
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Hala Mosaad
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M B Awad
- Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
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7
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Unachukwu UJ, Warren A, Li Z, Mishra S, Zhou J, Sauane M, Lim H, Vazquez M, Redenti S. Predicted molecular signaling guiding photoreceptor cell migration following transplantation into damaged retina. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22392. [PMID: 26935401 PMCID: PMC4776098 DOI: 10.1038/srep22392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To replace photoreceptors lost to disease or trauma and restore vision, laboratories around the world are investigating photoreceptor replacement strategies using subretinal transplantation of photoreceptor precursor cells (PPCs) and retinal progenitor cells (RPCs). Significant obstacles to advancement of photoreceptor cell-replacement include low migration rates of transplanted cells into host retina and an absence of data describing chemotactic signaling guiding migration of transplanted cells in the damaged retinal microenvironment. To elucidate chemotactic signaling guiding transplanted cell migration, bioinformatics modeling of PPC transplantation into light-damaged retina was performed. The bioinformatics modeling analyzed whole-genome expression data and matched PPC chemotactic cell-surface receptors to cognate ligands expressed in the light-damaged retinal microenvironment. A library of significantly predicted chemotactic ligand-receptor pairs, as well as downstream signaling networks was generated. PPC and RPC migration in microfluidic ligand gradients were analyzed using a highly predicted ligand-receptor pair, SDF-1α – CXCR4, and both PPCs and RPCs exhibited significant chemotaxis. This work present a systems level model and begins to elucidate molecular mechanisms involved in PPC and RPC migration within the damaged retinal microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uchenna John Unachukwu
- Biochemistry Doctoral Program, The Graduate School, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Alice Warren
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Ze Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Shawn Mishra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City College of New York, City University of New York, NY, USA
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY, USA.,Neuroscience Doctoral Program, The Graduate School, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Moira Sauane
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Hyungsik Lim
- Departments of Physics and Biology, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY USA
| | - Maribel Vazquez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City College of New York, City University of New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen Redenti
- Biochemistry Doctoral Program, The Graduate School, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY, USA
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8
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Parker J, Mitrousis N, Shoichet MS. Hydrogel for Simultaneous Tunable Growth Factor Delivery and Enhanced Viability of Encapsulated Cells in Vitro. Biomacromolecules 2016; 17:476-84. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James Parker
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Donnelly
Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Nikolaos Mitrousis
- Donnelly
Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
- Institute
of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Molly S. Shoichet
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada
- Donnelly
Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
- Institute
of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department
of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
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Lužnik Z, Parekh M, Bertolin M, Griffoni C, Ponzin D, Ferrari S. Biobanking of Human Retinas: The Next Big Leap for Eye Banks? Stem Cells Transl Med 2015; 4:868-72. [PMID: 26032747 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2015-0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases are one of the main clinical causes of incurable and severe visional impairment. Thus, extensive research effort is put into the development of new causal therapeutic options. Promisingly, a number of studies showed regenerative capacity in specific retinal regions (the ciliary epithelium, retinal pigmented epithelium, iris, and Müller glia cells). However, most recent research studies are based on animal models or in vitro cultured cells, probably because of the limited availability of human posterior eye tissues (vitreous, retina, and choroid). To address this, we showed in our previous reports that eye banks with large numbers of globes collected yearly could set up biorepositories/biobanks where these precious tissues are isolated, quality controlled, and finally stored for scientists and clinicians wanting to access human tissues and test their own hypotheses. These precious human posterior eye tissues could be used for further research purposes, epidemiological studies, and target validation of newly developed drugs. In addition, this could be a promising and challenging option to retrieve potential retinal stem and progenitor cells from different parts of the retina and could be a breakthrough in the future delivery of ex vivo prepared customized (histocompatible) retinal tissue on scaffolds for transplantation purposes. In this Perspective, we will consider how the biorepositories could influence the future strategies for retinal stem cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zala Lužnik
- Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto, Venice, Italy; Eye Hospital, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mohit Parekh
- Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto, Venice, Italy
| | | | | | - Diego Ponzin
- Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto, Venice, Italy
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10
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Wang X, Xiong K, Lin C, Lv L, Chen J, Xu C, Wang S, Gu D, Zheng H, Yu H, Li Y, Xiao H, Zhou G. New medium used in the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to retinal cells is comparable to fetal human eye tissue. Biomaterials 2015; 53:40-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.02.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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11
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Farkas MH, Au ED, Sousa ME, Pierce EA. RNA-Seq: Improving Our Understanding of Retinal Biology and Disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2015; 5:a017152. [PMID: 25722474 PMCID: PMC4561396 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a017152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Over the past several years, rapid technological advances have allowed for a dramatic increase in our knowledge and understanding of the transcriptional landscape, because of the ability to study gene expression in greater depth and with more detail than previously possible. To this end, RNA-Seq has quickly become one of the most widely used methods for studying transcriptomes of tissues and individual cells. Unlike previously favored analysis methods, RNA-Seq is extremely high-throughput, and is not dependent on an annotated transcriptome, laying the foundation for novel genetic discovery. Additionally, RNA-Seq derived transcriptomes provide a basis for widening the scope of research to identify potential targets in the treatment of retinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Farkas
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Elizabeth D Au
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Maria E Sousa
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
| | - Eric A Pierce
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
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12
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Vázquez-Zapién GJ, Rojas-López M, Delgado-Macuil RJ, Martínez-Nava LR, Pérez-Ishiwara DG, Mata-Miranda MM. Histologic and spectroscopic study of pluripotent stem cells after implant in ocular traumatic injuries in a murine model. Stem Cell Res Ther 2014; 5:119. [PMID: 25331456 PMCID: PMC4446076 DOI: 10.1186/scrt509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ocular trauma is defined as a trauma caused by blunt or penetrating mechanisms on the eyeball and its peripheral structures, causing damage with different degrees of affection with temporary or permanent visual function compromise. Ocular trauma is a major cause of preventable blindness worldwide; it constitutes 7% of all corporal injury and 10% to 15% of all eye diseases. Regenerative medicine research has opened up the possibility to use stem cells as a source of cell replacement, so that experimental studies on embryonic stem cells and bone marrow stem cells have been carried out. In this study, we analyzed the histopathological and spectroscopic changes in ocular tissue with trauma, treated with mouse pluripotent stem cells. Methods Firstly, mouse embryonic stem cells were seeded. Subsequently, the obtained cells were implanted in a murine model of scleral and retinal damage at the first, second, and fourth weeks post-trauma. At week 12 post-trauma, the eyes were enucleated for histopathologic study (inflammatory response and histological integrity) and spectroscopic analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the attenuated total reflection configuration. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Results Histopathological results showed that the experimental groups treated with stem cells presented a decrease in the inflammatory response, and the histological integrity was restored, which contrasted with the experimental group treated with saline solution. Moreover, in the spectroscopic analysis, characteristic bands of biological samples were observed in all tissues, highlighting in healthy tissues the presence of C = O bond at 1,745 cm-1, which was not observed in the injured and treated tissues. Also, the absorption spectrum of the tissues treated with embryonic stem cells showed bands whose intensity was high at around 1,080 to 1,070 cm-1. It has been reported that these bands are characteristic of pluripotent stem cells. Conclusions The implant of embryonic stem cells could be a useful therapeutic treatment after traumatic eye injuries or many other eye diseases to reduce the inflammatory response and restore histological integrity. Furthermore, the spectroscopic technique could be used as a complementary technique for detecting stem cell incorporation into various tissues.
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13
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Luesma MJ, Gherghiceanu M, Popescu LM. Telocytes and stem cells in limbus and uvea of mouse eye. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 17:1016-24. [PMID: 23991685 PMCID: PMC3780542 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential of stem cell (SC) therapies for eye diseases is well-recognized. However, the results remain only encouraging as little is known about the mechanisms responsible for eye renewal, regeneration and/or repair. Therefore, it is critical to gain knowledge about the specific tissue environment (niches) where the stem/progenitor cells reside in eye. A new type of interstitial cell–telocyte (TC) (http://www.telocytes.com) was recently identified by electron microscopy (EM). TCs have very long (tens of micrometres) and thin (below 200 nm) prolongations named telopodes (Tp) that form heterocellular networks in which SCs are embedded. We found TCs by EM and electron tomography in sclera, limbus and uvea of the mouse eye. Furthermore, EM showed that SCs were present in the anterior layer of the iris and limbus. Adhaerens and gap junctions were found to connect TCs within a network in uvea and sclera. Nanocontacts (electron-dense structures) were observed between TCs and other cells: SCs, melanocytes, nerve endings and macrophages. These intercellular ‘feet’ bridged the intercellular clefts (about 10 nm wide). Moreover, exosomes (extracellular vesicles with a diameter up to 100 nm) were delivered by TCs to other cells of the iris stroma. The ultrastructural nanocontacts of TCs with SCs and the TCs paracrine influence via exosomes in the epithelial and stromal SC niches suggest an important participation of TCs in eye regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Luesma
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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Goetz JJ, Farris C, Chowdhury R, Trimarchi JM. Making of a retinal cell: insights into retinal cell-fate determination. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 308:273-321. [PMID: 24411174 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800097-7.00007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the process by which an uncommitted dividing cell produces particular specialized cells within a tissue remains a fundamental question in developmental biology. Many tissues are well suited for cell-fate studies, but perhaps none more so than the developing retina. Traditionally, experiments using the retina have been designed to elucidate the influence that individual environmental signals or transcription factors can have on cell-fate decisions. Despite a substantial amount of information gained through these studies, there is still much that we do not yet understand about how cell fate is controlled on a systems level. In addition, new factors such as noncoding RNAs and regulators of chromatin have been shown to play roles in cell-fate determination and with the advent of "omics" technology more factors will most likely be identified. In this chapter we summarize both the traditional view of retinal cell-fate determination and introduce some new ideas that are providing a challenge to the older way of thinking about the acquisition of cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian J Goetz
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Caitlin Farris
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Rebecca Chowdhury
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Trimarchi
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA.
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15
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Dixit R, Tachibana N, Touahri Y, Zinyk D, Logan C, Schuurmans C. Gene expression is dynamically regulated in retinal progenitor cells prior to and during overt cellular differentiation. Gene Expr Patterns 2013; 14:42-54. [PMID: 24148613 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The retina is comprised of one glial and six neuronal populations that are generated from a multipotent pool of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) during development. To give rise to these different cell types, RPCs undergo temporal identity transitions, displaying distinct gene expression profiles at different stages of differentiation. Little, however, is known about temporal differences in RPC identities prior to the onset of overt cellular differentiation, during the period when a retinal identity is gradually acquired. Here we examined the sequential onset of expression of regional markers (i.e., homeodomain transcription factors) and cell fate determinants (i.e., basic-helix-loop-helix transcription factors and neurogenic genes) in RPCs from the earliest appearance of a morphologically-distinct retina. By performing a comparative analysis of the expression of a panel of 27 homeodomain, basic-helix-loop-helix and Notch pathway genes between embryonic day (E) 8.75 and postnatal day (P) 9, we identified six distinct RPC molecular profiles. At E8.75, the earliest stage assayed, murine RPCs expressed five homeodomain genes and a single neurogenic gene (Pax6, Six3, Six6, Rx, Otx2, Hes1). This early gene expression profile was remarkably similar to that of 'early' RPCs in the amphibian ciliary marginal zone (CMZ), where RPCs are compartmentalised according to developmental stage, and homologs of Pax6, Six3 and Rx are expressed in the 'early' stem cell zone. As development proceeds, expression of additional homeodomain, bHLH and neurogenic genes was gradually initiated in murine RPCs, allowing distinct genetic profiles to also be defined at E9.5, E10.5, E12.5, E15.5 and P0. In addition, RPCs in the postnatal ciliary margin, where retinal stem cells are retained throughout life, displayed a unique molecular signature, expressing all of the early-onset genes as well as several late-onset markers, indicative of a 'mixed' temporal identity. Taken together, the identification of temporal differences in gene expression in mammalian RPCs during pre-neurogenic developmental stages leads to new insights into how regional identities are progressively acquired during development, while comparisons at later stages highlight the dynamic nature of gene expression in temporally distinct RPC pools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Dixit
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Nobuhiko Tachibana
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Yacine Touahri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Dawn Zinyk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Cairine Logan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Carol Schuurmans
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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16
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Karl MO. The potential of stem cell research for the treatment of neuronal damage in glaucoma. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 353:311-25. [PMID: 23708526 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-013-1646-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell research offers a wide variety of approaches for the advancement of our understanding of basic mechanisms of neurodegeneration and tissue regeneration and for the discovery and development of new therapeutic strategies to prevent and restore neuronal cell loss. Similar to most other regions of our central nervous system, degenerative diseases of the retina lead to the loss of neurons, which are not replaced. Recent work in animals has provided proof-of-concept evidence for the restoration of photoreceptor cells by cell transplantation and neuronal cell replacement by regeneration from endogenous cell sources. However, efficient therapeutic prevention of neuronal cell loss has not been achieved. Moreover, successful cell replacement of retinal neurons in humans, including that of ganglion cells, remains a major challenge. Future successes in the discovery and translation of neuroprotective drug and gene therapies and of cell-based regenerative therapies will depend on a better understanding of the underlying disease pathomechanisms. Existing stem cell and cell-reprogramming technologies offer the potential to generate human retina cells, to develop specific human-cell-based retina disease models, and to open up novel therapeutic strategies. Further, we might glean substantial knowledge from species that can or cannot regenerate their neuronal retina, in the search for new therapeutic approaches. Thus, stem cell research will pave the way toward clinical translation. In this review, I address some of the major possibilities presently on offer and speculate about the power of stem cell research to gain further insights into the pathomechanisms of retinal neurodegeneration (with special emphasis on glaucoma) and to advance our therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike O Karl
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases e.V. (DZNE), Arnoldstrasse 18/18b, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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Charalambous P, Wang X, Thanos S, Schober A, Unsicker K. Regulation and effects of GDF-15 in the retina following optic nerve crush. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 353:1-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-013-1634-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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18
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Abstract
Organogenesis is regulated by a complex network of intrinsic cues, diffusible signals and cell/cell or cell/matrix interactions that drive the cells of a prospective organ to differentiate and collectively organize in three dimensions. Generating organs in vitro from embryonic stem (ES) cells may provide a simplified system to decipher how these processes are orchestrated in time and space within particular and between neighboring tissues. Recently, this field of stem cell research has also gained considerable interest for its potential applications in regenerative medicine. Among human pathologies for which stem cell-based therapy is foreseen as a promising therapeutic strategy are many retinal degenerative diseases, like retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. Over the last decade, progress has been made in producing ES-derived retinal cells in vitro, but engineering entire synthetic retinas was considered beyond reach. Recently however, major breakthroughs have been achieved with pioneer works describing the extraordinary self-organization of murine and human ES cells into a three dimensional structure highly resembling a retina. ES-derived retinal cells indeed assemble to form a cohesive neuroepithelial sheet that is endowed with the intrinsic capacity to recapitulate, outside an embryonic environment, the main steps of retinal morphogenesis as observed in vivo. This represents a tremendous advance that should help resolving fundamental questions related to retinogenesis. Here, we will discuss these studies, and the potential applications of such stem cell-based systems for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Colozza
- Gabriele Colozza, Morgane Locker, Muriel Perron, Laboratory of Neurobiology and Development, UPR CNRS 3294, University Paris-Sud, 91405 ORSAY Cedex, France
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