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Cheng L, Kuehn MH. Human Retinal Organoids in Therapeutic Discovery: A Review of Applications. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 281:157-187. [PMID: 37608005 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)- and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived retinal organoids (ROs) are three-dimensional laminar structures that recapitulate the developmental trajectory of the human retina. The ROs provide a fascinating tool for basic science research, eye disease modeling, treatment development, and biobanking for tissue/cell replacement. Here we review the previous studies that paved the way for RO technology, the two most widely accepted, standardized protocols to generate ROs, and the utilization of ROs in medical discovery. This review is conducted from the perspective of basic science research, transplantation for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and therapeutic development for drug screening and gene therapy. ROs have opened avenues for new technologies such as assembloids, coculture with other organoids, vasculature or immune cells, microfluidic devices (organ-on-chip), extracellular vesicles for drug delivery, biomaterial engineering, advanced imaging techniques, and artificial intelligence (AI). Nevertheless, some shortcomings of ROs currently limit their translation for medical applications and pose a challenge for future research. Despite these limitations, ROs are a powerful tool for functional studies and therapeutic strategies for retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA.
| | - Markus H Kuehn
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Impaired Bestrophin Channel Activity in an iPSC-RPE Model of Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy (BVMD) from an Early Onset Patient Carrying the P77S Dominant Mutation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137432. [PMID: 35806438 PMCID: PMC9266689 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Best Vitelliform Macular dystrophy (BVMD) is the most prevalent of the distinctive retinal dystrophies caused by mutations in the BEST1 gene. This gene, which encodes for a homopentameric calcium-activated ion channel, is crucial for the homeostasis and function of the retinal pigment epithelia (RPE), the cell type responsible for recycling the visual pigments generated by photoreceptor cells. In BVMD patients, mutations in this gene induce functional problems in the RPE cell layer with an accumulation of lipofucsin that evolves into cell death and loss of sight. In this work, we employ iPSC-RPE cells derived from a patient with the p.Pro77Ser dominant mutation to determine the correlation between this variant and the ocular phenotype. To this purpose, gene and protein expression and localization are evaluated in iPSC-RPE cells along with functional assays like phagocytosis and anion channel activity. Our cell model shows no differences in gene expression, protein expression/localization, or phagocytosis capacity, but presents an increased chloride entrance, indicating that the p.Pro77Ser variant might be a gain-of-function mutation. We hypothesize that this variant disturbs the neck region of the BEST1 channel, affecting channel function but maintaining cell homeostasis in the short term. This data shed new light on the different phenotypes of dominant mutations in BEST1, and emphasize the importance of understanding its molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, the data widen the knowledge of this pathology and open the door for a better diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.
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Retinal Organoid Technology: Where Are We Now? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910244. [PMID: 34638582 PMCID: PMC8549701 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
It is difficult to regenerate mammalian retinal cells once the adult retina is damaged, and current clinical approaches to retinal damages are very limited. The introduction of the retinal organoid technique empowers researchers to study the molecular mechanisms controlling retinal development, explore the pathogenesis of retinal diseases, develop novel treatment options, and pursue cell/tissue transplantation under a certain genetic background. Here, we revisit the historical background of retinal organoid technology, categorize current methods of organoid induction, and outline the obstacles and potential solutions to next-generation retinal organoids. Meanwhile, we recapitulate recent research progress in cell/tissue transplantation to treat retinal diseases, and discuss the pros and cons of transplanting single-cell suspension versus retinal organoid sheet for cell therapies.
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Baakdhah T, van der Kooy D. Expansion of retinal stem cells and their progeny using cell microcarriers in a bioreactor. Biotechnol Prog 2019; 35:e2800. [DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tahani Baakdhah
- Institute of Medical ScienceUniversity of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Derek van der Kooy
- Institute of Medical ScienceUniversity of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Molecular GeneticsUniversity of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
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Thomas BB, Zhu D, Lin TC, Kim YC, Seiler MJ, Martinez-Camarillo JC, Lin B, Shad Y, Hinton DR, Humayun MS. A new immunodeficient retinal dystrophic rat model for transplantation studies using human-derived cells. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018; 256:2113-2125. [PMID: 30215097 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-018-4134-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To create new immunodeficient Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats by introducing the defective MerTK gene into athymic nude rats. METHODS Female homozygous RCS (RCS-p+/RCS-p+) and male nude rats (Hsd:RH-Foxn1mu, mutation in the foxn1 gene; no T cells) were crossed to produce heterozygous F1 progeny. Double homozygous F2 progeny obtained by crossing the F1 heterozygotes was identified phenotypically (hair loss) and genotypically (RCS-p+ gene determined by PCR). Retinal degenerative status was confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, electroretinography (ERG), optokinetic (OKN) testing, superior colliculus (SC) electrophysiology, and by histology. The effect of xenografts was assessed by transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (hESC-RPE) and human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE (iPS-RPE) into the eye. Morphological analysis was conducted based on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunostaining. Age-matched pigmented athymic nude rats were used as control. RESULTS Approximately 6% of the F2 pups (11/172) were homozygous for RCS-p+ gene and Foxn1mu gene. Homozygous males crossed with heterozygous females resulted in 50% homozygous progeny for experimentation. OCT imaging demonstrated significant loss of retinal thickness in homozygous rats. H&E staining showed photoreceptor thickness reduced to 1-3 layers at 12 weeks of age. Progressive loss of visual function was evidenced by OKN testing, ERG, and SC electrophysiology. Transplantation experiments demonstrated survival of human-derived cells and absence of apparent immune rejection. CONCLUSIONS This new rat animal model developed by crossing RCS rats and athymic nude rats is suitable for conducting retinal transplantation experiments involving xenografts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biju B Thomas
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
- USC Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Danhong Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tai-Chi Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- USC Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Young Chang Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Magdalene J Seiler
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Research Center, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Juan Carlos Martinez-Camarillo
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- USC Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bin Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Stem Cell Research Center, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Yousuf Shad
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - David R Hinton
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mark S Humayun
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- USC Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Parameswaran S, Krishnakumar S. Pluripotent stem cells: A therapeutic source for age-related macular degeneration. Indian J Ophthalmol 2017; 65:177-183. [PMID: 28440245 PMCID: PMC5426121 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_1026_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leads to progressive loss of central vision in the elderly. At a cellular level, there is aging of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and accumulation of lipofuscin that interferes with the proper functioning of RPE which eventually leads to apoptosis. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. Wet AMD which has neovascularization is managed by local therapies such as laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy and is managed with injections of antivascular endothelial growth factor-based therapy. Unlike the wet AMD, an effective therapy does not exist for dry AMD and geographic atrophy. Cell replacement therapy has shown promise. This review discusses the opportunities in the various types of cell-based therapy, their limitations, and what is possible for India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sowmya Parameswaran
- L and T Ophthalmic Pathology, Radheshyam Kanoi Stem Cell Laboratory, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Subramanian Krishnakumar
- L and T Ophthalmic Pathology, Radheshyam Kanoi Stem Cell Laboratory, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Tang Z, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Zhang D, Shen B, Luo M, Gu P. Progress of stem/progenitor cell-based therapy for retinal degeneration. J Transl Med 2017; 15:99. [PMID: 28486987 PMCID: PMC5424366 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1183-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal degeneration (RD), such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa, is one of the leading causes of blindness. Presently, no satisfactory therapeutic options are available for these diseases principally because the retina and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) do not regenerate, although wet AMD can be prevented from further progression by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Nevertheless, stem/progenitor cell approaches exhibit enormous potential for RD treatment using strategies mainly aimed at the rescue and replacement of photoreceptors and RPE. The sources of stem/progenitor cells are classified into two broad categories in this review, which are (1) ocular-derived progenitor cells, such as retinal progenitor cells, and (2) non-ocular-derived stem cells, including embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and mesenchymal stromal cells. Here, we discuss in detail the progress in the study of four predominant stem/progenitor cell types used in animal models of RD. A short overview of clinical trials involving the stem/progenitor cells is also presented. Currently, stem/progenitor cell therapies for RD still have some drawbacks such as inhibited proliferation and/or differentiation in vitro (with the exception of the RPE) and limited long-term survival and function of grafts in vivo. Despite these challenges, stem/progenitor cells represent the most promising strategy for RD treatment in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyao Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingqiao Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ping Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
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Yue F, Hirashima K, Tomotsune D, Takizawa-Shirasawa S, Yokoyama T, Sasaki K. Reprogramming of retinoblastoma cancer cells into cancer stem cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 482:549-555. [PMID: 27856246 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.11.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in pediatric patients. It develops rapidly in the retina and can be fatal if not treated promptly. It has been proposed that a small population of cancer cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), initiate tumorigenesis from immature tissue stem cells or progenitor cells. Reprogramming technology, which can convert mature cells into pluripotent stem cells (iPS), provides the possibility of transducing malignant cancer cells back to CSCs, a type of early stage of cancer. We herein took advantage of reprogramming technology to induce CSCs from retinoblastoma cancer cells. In the present study, the 4 Yamanaka transcription factors, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-myc, were transduced into retinoblastoma cells (Rbc51). iPS-like colonies were observed 15 days after transduction and showed significantly enhanced CSC properties. The gene and protein expression levels of pluripotent stem cell markers (Tra-1-60, Oct4, Nanog) and cancer stem cell markers (CD133, CD44) were up-regulated in transduced Rbc51 cells compared to control cells. Moreover, iPS-like CSCs could be sorted using the Magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) method. A sphere formation assay demonstrated spheroid formation in transduced Rbc51 cells cultured in serum free media, and these spheroids could be differentiated into Pax6-, Nestin-positive neural progenitors and rhodopsin- and recoverin-positive mature retinal cells. The cell viability after 5-Fu exposure was higher in transduced Rbc51 cells. In conclusion, CSCs were generated from retinoblastoma cancer cells using reprogramming technology. Our novel method can generate CSCs, the study of which can lead to better understanding of cancer-specific initiation, cancer epigenetics, and the overlapping mechanisms of cancer development and pluripotent stem cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengming Yue
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan.
| | - Kanji Hirashima
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | - Daihachiro Tomotsune
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University Matsumoto, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
| | | | - Tadayuki Yokoyama
- Bourbon Corporation, 4-2-14 Matsunami, Kashiwazaki, Niigata 945-8611, Japan
| | - Katsunori Sasaki
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan; Department of Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University Matsumoto, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan
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Seiler MJ, Aramant RB, Jones MK, Ferguson DL, Bryda EC, Keirstead HS. A new immunodeficient pigmented retinal degenerate rat strain to study transplantation of human cells without immunosuppression. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2014; 252:1079-92. [PMID: 24817311 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-014-2638-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The goal of this study was to develop an immunodeficient rat model of retinal degeneration (RD nude rats) that will not reject transplanted human cells. METHODS SD-Tg(S334ter)3Lav females homozygous for a mutated mouse rhodopsin transgene were mated with NTac:NIH-Whn (NIH nude) males homozygous for the Foxn1 (rnu) allele. Through selective breeding, a new stock, SD-Foxn1 Tg(S334ter)3Lav (RD nude) was generated such that all animals were homozygous for the Foxn1 (rnu) allele and either homo- or hemizygous for the S334ter transgene. PCR-based assays for both the Foxn1 (rnu) mutation and the S334ter transgene were developed for accurate genotyping. Immunodeficiency was tested by transplanting sheets of hESC-derived neural progenitor cells to the subretinal space of RD nude rats, and, as a control, NIH nude rats. Rats were killed between 8 and 184 days after surgery, and eye sections were analyzed for human, neuronal, and glial markers. RESULTS After transplantation to RD nude and to NIH nude rats, hESC-derived neural progenitor cells differentiated to neuronal and glial cells, and migrated extensively from the transplant sheets throughout the host retina. Migration was more extensive in RD nude than in NIH nude rats. Already 8 days after transplantation, donor neuronal processes were found in the host inner plexiform layer. In addition, host glial cells extended processes into the transplants. The host retina showed the same photoreceptor degeneration pattern as in the immunocompetent SD-Tg(S334ter)3Lav rats. Recipients survived well after surgery. CONCLUSIONS This new rat model is useful for testing the effect of human cell transplantation on the restoration of vision without interference of immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalene J Seiler
- Anatomy & Neurobiology/Reeve-Irvine Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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Siqueira RC. Stem cell therapy in retinal diseases? Rev Bras Hematol Hemoter 2013; 34:222-6. [PMID: 23049424 PMCID: PMC3459631 DOI: 10.5581/1516-8484.20120054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Blenkinsop TA, Corneo B, Temple S, Stern JH. Ophthalmologic stem cell transplantation therapies. Regen Med 2013; 7:32-9. [PMID: 23210809 DOI: 10.2217/rme.12.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vision loss is a major social issue, with more than 20 million people over the age of 18 years affected in the USA alone. Loss of vision is feared more than premature death or cardiovascular disease, according to a recent Society for Consumer Research group survey. The annual direct cost of medical care for the most prevalent eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, was estimated at US$255 billion in 2010 with an additional economic impact of US$88 billion due to lost productivity and the burden of family and community care for visual disability. With the blossoming of human stem cell research, regenerative treatments are now being developed that can help reduce this burden. Positive results from animal studies demonstrate that stem cell-based transplants can preserve and potentially improve vision. This has led to new clinical trials for several eye diseases that are yielding encouraging results. In the next few years, additional trials and longer-term results are anticipated to further develop ocular regenerative therapies, with the potential to revolutionize our approach to ophthalmic disease and damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Blenkinsop
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Regenerative Research Foundation, One Discovery Drive, Rensselaer, NY12144, USA
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Seiler MJ, Aramant RB. Cell replacement and visual restoration by retinal sheet transplants. Prog Retin Eye Res 2012; 31:661-87. [PMID: 22771454 PMCID: PMC3472113 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2012.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 06/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) affect millions of people. Replacing lost cells with new cells that connect with the still functional part of the host retina might repair a degenerating retina and restore eyesight to an unknown extent. A unique model, subretinal transplantation of freshly dissected sheets of fetal-derived retinal progenitor cells, combined with its retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), has demonstrated successful results in both animals and humans. Most other approaches are restricted to rescue endogenous retinal cells of the recipient in earlier disease stages by a 'nursing' role of the implanted cells and are not aimed at neural retinal cell replacement. Sheet transplants restore lost visual responses in several retinal degeneration models in the superior colliculus (SC) corresponding to the location of the transplant in the retina. They do not simply preserve visual performance - they increase visual responsiveness to light. Restoration of visual responses in the SC can be directly traced to neural cells in the transplant, demonstrating that synaptic connections between transplant and host contribute to the visual improvement. Transplant processes invade the inner plexiform layer of the host retina and form synapses with presumable host cells. In a Phase II trial of RP and ARMD patients, transplants of retina together with its RPE improved visual acuity. In summary, retinal progenitor sheet transplantation provides an excellent model to answer questions about how to repair and restore function of a degenerating retina. Supply of fetal donor tissue will always be limited but the model can set a standard and provide an informative base for optimal cell replacement therapies such as embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalene J Seiler
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Reeve-Irvine Research Center, Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California at Irvine, 1101 Gross Hall, 845 Health Science Rd., Irvine, CA 92697-4265, USA.
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Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Retinal Progenitors into Retinal Cells by Sonic Hedgehog and/or Retinal Pigmented Epithelium and Transplantation into the Subretinal Space of Sodium Iodate–Injected Rabbits. Stem Cells Dev 2012; 21:42-53. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2011.0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Wong IYH, Poon MW, Pang RTW, Lian Q, Wong D. Promises of stem cell therapy for retinal degenerative diseases. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2011; 249:1439-48. [PMID: 21866334 PMCID: PMC3178027 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-011-1764-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2011] [Revised: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
With the development of stem cell technology, stem cell-based therapy for retinal degeneration has been proposed to restore the visual function. Many animal studies and some clinical trials have shown encouraging results of stem cell-based therapy in retinal degenerative diseases. While stem cell-based therapy is a promising strategy to replace damaged retinal cells and ultimately cure retinal degeneration, there are several important challenges which need to be overcome before stem cell technology can be applied widely in clinical settings. In this review, different types of donor cell origins used in retinal treatments, potential target cell types for therapy, methods of stem cell delivery to the eye, assessments of potential risks in stem cell therapy, as well as future developments of retinal stem cells therapy, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Yat-Hin Wong
- Department of Medicine and Eye Institute, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, PRC
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