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Jiang T, Huang J, Xu B, Ge Z, Li Y, Wei L, Yu L, Li J. Human amniotic epithelial stem cell-derived dopaminergic neuron-like cells ameliorate motor dysfunction in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Life Sci 2024; 351:122816. [PMID: 38862064 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Parkinson's disease (PD) remains a substantial clinical challenge due to the progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons in nigrostriatal pathway. In this study, human amniotic epithelial stem cells (hAESCs)-derived dopaminergic neuron-like cells (hAESCs-DNLCs) were generated, with the aim of providing new therapeutic approach to PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS hAESCs, which were isolated from discarded placentas, were induced to differentiate into hAESCs-DNLCs by following a "two stages" induction protocol. The differentiation efficiency was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), immunocytochemistry (ICC), and ELISA. Immunogenicity, cell viability and tumorigenicity of hAESCs-DNLC were analyzed before in vivo experiments. Subsequently, hAESCs-DNLCs were transplanted into PD rats, behavioral tests were monitored after graft, and the regeneration of DA neurons was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Furthermore, to trace hAESCs-DNLCs in vivo, cells were pre-labeled with PKH67 green fluorescence. KEY FINDINGS hAESCs were positive for pluripotent markers and highly expressed neural stem cells (NSCs) markers. Based on this, we established an induction method reliably generates hAESCs-DNLCs, which was evidenced by epithelium-to-neuron morphological changes, elevated expressions of neuronal and DA neuronal markers, and increased secretion of dopamine. Moreover, hAESCs-DNLCs maintained high cell viability, no tumorigenicity and low immunogenicity, suggesting hAESCs-DNLCs an attractive implant for PD therapy. Transplantation of hAESCs-DNLCs into PD rats significantly ameliorated motor disorders, as well as enhanced the reinnervation of TH+ DA neurons in nigrostriatal pathway. SIGNIFICANCE Our study has demonstrated evident therapeutic effects of hAESCs-DNLCs, and provides a safe and promising solution for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuoying Jiang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection & College of Life Sciences-iCell Biotechnology Regenerative Biomedicine Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Jianan Huang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection & College of Life Sciences-iCell Biotechnology Regenerative Biomedicine Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China; Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Institute on Eye Diseases, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Bo Xu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection & College of Life Sciences-iCell Biotechnology Regenerative Biomedicine Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Zhen Ge
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Yi Li
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection & College of Life Sciences-iCell Biotechnology Regenerative Biomedicine Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Leiting Wei
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection & College of Life Sciences-iCell Biotechnology Regenerative Biomedicine Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Luyang Yu
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection & College of Life Sciences-iCell Biotechnology Regenerative Biomedicine Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
| | - Jinying Li
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection & College of Life Sciences-iCell Biotechnology Regenerative Biomedicine Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China; College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Health Industry, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
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Wang L, Tian Y, Li L, Cai M, Zhou X, Su W, Hua X, Yuan X. Temporary alleviation of MAPK by arbutin alleviates oxidative damage in the retina and ARPE-19 cells. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32887. [PMID: 38988586 PMCID: PMC11234033 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32887] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main diseases that causes blindness in humans, and the number of cases is increasing yearly. However, effective treatments are unavailable, and arbutin (ARB) has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects in other age-related diseases. However, whether ARB can be used to treat dry AMD remains unknown. To explore the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanism of arbutin in the treatment of dry AMD. MTT assays, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production assays, flow cytometry assays, qPCR and western blotting were used to assess the impact of ARB on human RPECs induced by H2O2. A transcriptome sequencing assay was used to further explore how ARB acts on human RPECs treated with H2O2. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) assays were used to observe the impact of ARB on mouse retina induced by sodium iodate. ARB counteracted the H2O2-induced reduction in human RPECs viability, ARB reversed H2O2-induced cellular ROS production by increasing the expression of antioxidant-related genes and proteins, ARB also reversed H2O2-induced cell apoptosis by altering the expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins. Transcriptome sequencing and western blotting showed that ARB reduced ERK1/2 and P-38 phosphorylation to prevent H2O2-induced oxidation damage. The in vivo experiments demonstrated that ARB protected against retinal morphology injury in mice, increased serum T-AOC levels and increased antioxidant oxidase gene expression levels in the mouse retina induced by sodium iodate. We concluded that ARB reversed the H2O2-induced decrease in human RPECs viability through the inhibition of ROS production and apoptosis. The ERK1/2 and P38 MAPK signaling pathways may mediate this process. ARB maintained retinal morphology, increased serum T-AOC level and improved the expression of antioxidant oxidase genes in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wang
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Liangpin Li
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Maoyu Cai
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China
| | - Xueyan Zhou
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Wangming Su
- Department of Ophthalmology, Second Hospital of Longyan City, Longyan, 364000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xia Hua
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, 410015, China
- Tianjin Aier Eye Hospital, Tianjin, 300190, China
| | - Xiaoyong Yuan
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300020, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, 300020, China
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3
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Papaioannou C. Advancements in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration: a comprehensive review. Postgrad Med J 2024; 100:445-450. [PMID: 38330506 DOI: 10.1093/postmj/qgae016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) stands as a leading cause of irreversible blindness, particularly affecting central vision and impeding daily tasks. This paper provides a thorough exploration of AMD, distinguishing between its two main subtypes-Wet and Dry AMD-while shedding light on the prevalence and risk factors, including age, genetics, and smoking. The focus shifts to the current and future treatment landscape, examining both Dry and Wet AMD. Regarding Dry AMD, interventions such as antioxidant supplementation and ongoing clinical trials offer hope. Notable among these is Pegcetacoplan which is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication, displaying promising results in reducing geographic atrophy lesions. For Wet AMD, anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor therapies like Ranibizumab (Lucentis®) have been instrumental, and newer drugs like Faricimab and OPT-302 show comparable efficacy with extended dosing intervals. Additionally, gene therapies such as RGX-314 present a potential paradigm shift, reducing or eliminating the need for frequent injections. Biosimilars offer cost-effective alternatives. The paper also delves into the integration of technology and artificial intelligence in AMD management, highlighting the role of smartphone apps for patient monitoring and artificial intelligence algorithms for diagnosis and surveillance. Furthermore, patient perspectives on artificial intelligence demonstrate a positive correlation between understanding and trust. The narrative concludes with a glimpse into ground-breaking technologies, including retinal implants and bionic chips, offering hope for vision restoration. Overall, this paper underscores the multifaceted approach in addressing AMD, combining traditional and innovative strategies, paving the way for a more promising future in AMD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Papaioannou
- Department of Surgery, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, TW7 6AF, London, United Kingdom
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Moyo MTG, Adali T, Tulay P. Exploring gellan gum-based hydrogels for regenerating human embryonic stem cells in age-related macular degeneration therapy: A literature review. Regen Ther 2024; 26:235-250. [PMID: 38966602 PMCID: PMC11222715 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2024.05.018] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive ocular disease marked by the deterioration of retinal photoreceptor cells, leading to central vision decline, predominantly affecting the elderly population worldwide. Current treatment modalities, such as anti-VEGF agents, laser therapy, and photodynamic therapy, aim to manage the condition, with emerging strategies like stem cell replacement therapy showing promise. However, challenges like immune rejection and cell survival hinder the efficacy of stem cell interventions. Regenerative medicine faces obstacles in maximizing stem cell potential due to limitations in mimicking the dynamic cues of the extracellular matrix (ECM) crucial for guiding stem cell behaviour. Innovative biomaterials like gellan gum hydrogels offer tailored microenvironments conducive to enhancing stem cell culture efficacy and tissue regeneration. Gellan gum-based hydrogels, renowned for biocompatibility and customizable mechanical properties, provide crucial support for cell viability, differentiation, and controlled release of therapeutic factors, making them an ideal platform for culturing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). These hydrogels mimic native tissue mechanics, promoting optimal hESC differentiation while minimizing immune responses and facilitating localized delivery. This review explores the potential of Gellan Gum-Based Hydrogels in regenerative AMD therapy, emphasizing their role in enhancing hESC regeneration and addressing current status, treatment limitations, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mthabisi Talent George Moyo
- Near East University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, P.O. Box: 99138, Nicosia, Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey
- Girne American University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, PO Box 99428, Karmi Campus, Karaoglanoglu, Kyrenia, Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey
- Girne American University, Research and Application Center of Biomedical Sciences, PO Box 99428, Karmi Campus, Karaoglanoglu, Kyrenia, North Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey
| | - Terin Adali
- Girne American University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, PO Box 99428, Karmi Campus, Karaoglanoglu, Kyrenia, Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey
- Girne American University, Research and Application Center of Biomedical Sciences, PO Box 99428, Karmi Campus, Karaoglanoglu, Kyrenia, North Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey
| | - Pinar Tulay
- Near East University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey
- Near East University, DESAM Research Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus, Mersin 10, Turkey
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5
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Liu W, Zhang C, Jiang F, Tan Y, Qin B. From theory to therapy: a bibliometric and visual study of stem cell advancements in age-related macular degeneration. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:616-631. [PMID: 38483361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Human pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, offer groundbreaking therapeutic potential for degenerative diseases and cellular repair. Despite their significance, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis in this field, particularly in relation to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is yet to be conducted. This study aims to map the foundational and emerging areas in stem cell and AMD research through bibliometric analysis. METHODS This study analyzed articles and reviews on stem cells and AMD from 2000 to 2022, sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection. We used VOSviewer and CiteSpace for analysis and visualization of data pertaining to countries, institutions, authors, journals, references and key words. Statistical analyses were conducted using R language and Microsoft Excel 365. RESULTS In total, 539 publications were included, indicating an increase in global literature on stem cells and AMD from 2000 to 2022. The USA was the leading contributor, with 239 papers and the highest H-index, also the USA had the highest average citation rate per article (59.82). Notably, 50% of the top 10 institutions were from the USA, with the University of California system being the most productive. Key authors included Masayo Takahashi, Michiko Mandai, Dennis Clegg, Pete J. Coffey, Boris Stanzel, and Budd A. Tucker. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science published the majority of relevant papers (n = 27). Key words like "clinical trial," "stem cell therapy," "retinal organoid," and "retinal progenitor cells" were predominant. CONCLUSIONS Research on stem cells and AMD has grown significantly, highlighting the need for increased global cooperation. Current research prioritizes the relationship between "ipsc," "induced pluripotent stem cell," "cell culture," and "human embryonic stem cell." As stem cell culture and safety have advanced, focus has shifted to prognosis and complications post-transplantation, signifying the movement of stem cell research from labs to clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yao Tan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Postdoctoral Station of Clinical Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City, China.
| | - Bo Qin
- Shenzhen Aier Eye Hospital, Aier Eye Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China.
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Radu M, Brănișteanu DC, Pirvulescu RA, Dumitrescu OM, Ionescu MA, Zemba M. Exploring Stem-Cell-Based Therapies for Retinal Regeneration. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:668. [PMID: 38929652 PMCID: PMC11204673 DOI: 10.3390/life14060668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The escalating prevalence of retinal diseases-notably, age-related macular degeneration and hereditary retinal disorders-poses an intimidating challenge to ophthalmic medicine, often culminating in irreversible vision loss. Current treatments are limited and often fail to address the underlying loss of retinal cells. This paper explores the potential of stem-cell-based therapies as a promising avenue for retinal regeneration. We review the latest advancements in stem cell technology, focusing on embryonic stem cells (ESCs), pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and their ability to differentiate into retinal cell types. We discuss the challenges in stem cell transplantation, such as immune rejection, integration into the host retina, and functional recovery. Previous and ongoing clinical trials are examined to highlight the therapeutic efficacy and safety of these novel treatments. Additionally, we address the ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks governing stem cell research. Our analysis suggests that while stem-cell-based therapies offer a groundbreaking approach to treating retinal diseases, further research is needed to ensure long-term safety and to optimize therapeutic outcomes. This review summarizes the clinical evidence of stem cell therapy and current limitations in utilizing stem cells for retinal degeneration, such as age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and Stargardt's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Radu
- Department of Ophthalmology, “Dr. Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Ruxandra Angela Pirvulescu
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Otilia Maria Dumitrescu
- Department of Ophthalmology, “Dr. Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihai Alexandru Ionescu
- Department of Ophthalmology, “Dr. Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mihail Zemba
- Department of Ophthalmology, “Dr. Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency University Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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Rajendran Nair DS, Camarillo JCM, Lu G, Thomas BB. Measuring spatial visual loss in rats by retinotopic mapping of the superior colliculus using a novel multi-electrode array technique. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 405:110095. [PMID: 38403001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110095] [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] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The retinotopic map property of the superior colliculus (SC) is a reliable indicator of visual functional changes in rodents. Electrophysiological mapping of the SC using a single electrode has been employed for measuring visual function in rat and mouse disease models. Single electrode mapping is highly laborious requiring long-term exposure to the SC surface and prolonged anesthetic conditions that can adversely affect the mapping data. NEW METHOD To avoid the above-mentioned issues, we fabricated a fifty-six (56) electrode multi-electrode array (MEA) for rapid and reliable visual functional mapping of the SC. Since SC is a dome-shaped structure, the array was made of electrodes with dissimilar tip lengths to enable simultaneous and uniform penetration of the SC. RESULTS SC mapping using the new MEA was conducted in retinal degenerate (RD) Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats and rats with focal retinal damage induced by green diode laser. For SC mapping, the MEA was advanced into the SC surface and the visual activities were recorded during full-filed light stimulation of the eye. Based on the morphological examination, the MEA electrodes covered most of the exposed SC area and penetrated the SC surface at a relatively uniform depth. MEA mapping in RCS rats (n=9) demonstrated progressive development of a scotoma in the SC that corresponded to the degree of photoreceptor loss. MEA mapping in the laser damaged rats demonstrated the presence of a scotoma in the SC area that corresponded to the location of retinal laser injury. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS AND CONCLUSIONS The use of MEA for SC mapping is advantageous over single electrode recording by enabling faster recordings and reducing anesthesia time. This study establishes the feasibility of the MEA technique for rapid and efficient SC mapping, particularly advantageous for evaluating therapeutic effects in retinal degenerate rat disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepthi S Rajendran Nair
- Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, United States
| | - Juan Carlos-Martinez Camarillo
- Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, United States; USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, United States
| | - Gengxi Lu
- Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, United States
| | - Biju B Thomas
- Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, United States; USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, United States.
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Li J, Shen H, Guo LW. Transmembrane protein TMEM97 and epigenetic reader BAHCC1 constitute an axis that supports pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Cell Signal 2024; 116:111069. [PMID: 38290642 PMCID: PMC10997414 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111069] [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] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Pro-inflammatory cytokine production by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a key etiology in retinal degenerative diseases, yet the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. TMEM97 is a scarcely studied transmembrane protein recently implicated in retinal degeneration. BAH domain coiled coil 1 (BAHCC1) is a newly discovered histone code reader involved in oncogenesis. A role for TMEM97 and BAHCC1 in RPE inflammation was not known. Here we found that they constitute a novel axis regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in RPE cells. Transcriptomic analysis using a TMEM97-/- ARPE19 human cell line and the validation via TMEM97 loss- and gain-of-function revealed a profound role of TMEM97 in promoting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, notably IL1β and CCL2, and unexpectedly BAHCC1 as well. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation indicated an association between the TMEM97 and BAHCC1 proteins. While TMEM97 ablation decreased and its overexpression increased NFκB (p50, p52, p65), the master transcription factor for pro-inflammatory cytokines, silencing BAHCC1 down-regulated NFκB and downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, in an RPE-damage retinal degeneration mouse model, immunofluorescence illustrated down-regulation of IL1β and CCL2 total proteins and suppression of glial activation in the retina of Tmem97-/- mice compared to Tmem97+/+ mice. Thus, TMEM97 is a novel determinant of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression acting via a previously unknown TMEM97- > BAHCC1- > NFκB cascade. SYNOPSIS: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) inflammation can lead to blindness. We identify here a previously uncharacterized cascade that underlies RPE cell production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Specifically, transmembrane protein TMEM97 positively regulates the recently discovered histone code reader BAHCC1, which in turn enhances pro-inflammatory cytokine expression via the transcription factor NFκB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Hongtao Shen
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Division of Surgical Sciences, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Rizwan S, Toothman B, Li B, Engel AJ, Lim RR, Lu J, Chao JR, Du J. Metabolic phenotyping of healthy and diseased human RPE cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.28.582405. [PMID: 38464098 PMCID: PMC10925320 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.28.582405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Purpose Metabolic defects in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are underlying many retinal degenerative diseases. This study aims to identify the nutrient requirements of healthy and diseased human RPE cells. Methods We profiled the utilization of 183 nutrients in human RPE cells: 1) differentiated and dedifferentiated fetal RPE (fRPE), 2) induced pluripotent stem cell derived-RPE (iPSC RPE), 3) Sorsby fundus dystrophy (SFD) patient-derived iPSC RPE and its CRISPR-corrected isogenic SFD (cSFD) iPSC RPE, and 5) ARPE-19 cell lines cultured under different conditions. Results Differentiated fRPE cells and healthy iPSC RPE cells can utilize 51 and 48 nutrients respectively, including sugars, intermediates from glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, fatty acids, ketone bodies, amino acids, and dipeptides. However, when fRPE cells lose epithelial phenotype through dedifferentiated, they can only utilize 17 nutrients, primarily sugar and glutamine-related amino acids. SFD RPE cells can utilize 37 nutrients; however, Compared to cSFD RPE and healthy iPSC RPE, they are unable to utilize lactate, some TCA cycle intermediates, and short-chain fatty acids. Nonetheless, they show increased utilization of branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and BCAA-containing dipeptides. The dedifferentiated ARPE-19 cells in traditional culture media cannot utilize lactate and ketone bodies. In contrast, nicotinamide supplementation promotes differentiation into epithelial phenotype, restoring the ability to use these nutrients. Conclusions Epithelial phenotype confers metabolic flexibility to the RPE for utilizing various nutrients. SFD RPE cells have reduced metabolic flexibility, relying on the oxidation of BCAAs. Our findings highlight the importance of nutrient availability and utilization in RPE differentiation and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saira Rizwan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Beverly Toothman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225100, China
| | - Abbi J. Engel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
| | - Rayne R Lim
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
| | - Jinyu Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Jennifer R. Chao
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
| | - Jianhai Du
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
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10
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Zhang C, Wang J, Wu H, Fan W, Li S, Wei D, Song Z, Tao Y. Hydrogel-Based Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Current Innovations, Impediments, and Future Perspectives. Gels 2024; 10:158. [PMID: 38534576 DOI: 10.3390/gels10030158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an ocular disease that leads to progressive photoreceptor death and visual impairment. Currently, the most common therapeutic strategy is to deliver anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents into the eyes of patients with wet AMD. However, this treatment method requires repeated injections, which potentially results in surgical complications and unwanted side effects for patients. An effective therapeutic approach for dry AMD also remains elusive. Therefore, there is a surge of enthusiasm for the developing the biodegradable drug delivery systems with sustained release capability and develop a promising therapeutic strategy. Notably, the strides made in hydrogels which possess intricate three-dimensional polymer networks have profoundly facilitated the treatments of AMD. Researchers have established diverse hydrogel-based delivery systems with marvelous biocompatibility and efficacy. Advantageously, these hydrogel-based transplantation therapies provide promising opportunities for vision restoration. Herein, we provide an overview of the properties and potential of hydrogels for ocular delivery. We introduce recent advances in the utilization of hydrogels for the delivery of anti-VEGF and in cell implantation. Further refinements of these findings would lay the basis for developing more rational and curative therapies for AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengzhi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zheng Zhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
- College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jiale Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zheng Zhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
- College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zheng Zhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
- College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Wenhui Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zheng Zhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
- College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Siyu Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zheng Zhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
- College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Dong Wei
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zheng Zhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
- College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zongming Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zheng Zhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Ye Tao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zheng Zhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
- College of Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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11
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Komninos C, Pissas T, Flores B, Bloch E, Vercauteren T, Ourselin S, Da Cruz L, Bergeles C. Unpaired intra-operative OCT (iOCT) video super-resolution with contrastive learning. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2024; 15:772-788. [PMID: 38404298 PMCID: PMC10890864 DOI: 10.1364/boe.501743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Regenerative therapies show promise in reversing sight loss caused by degenerative eye diseases. Their precise subretinal delivery can be facilitated by robotic systems alongside with Intra-operative Optical Coherence Tomography (iOCT). However, iOCT's real-time retinal layer information is compromised by inferior image quality. To address this limitation, we introduce an unpaired video super-resolution methodology for iOCT quality enhancement. A recurrent network is proposed to leverage temporal information from iOCT sequences, and spatial information from pre-operatively acquired OCT images. Additionally, a patchwise contrastive loss enables unpaired super-resolution. Extensive quantitative analysis demonstrates that our approach outperforms existing state-of-the-art iOCT super-resolution models. Furthermore, ablation studies showcase the importance of temporal aggregation and contrastive loss in elevating iOCT quality. A qualitative study involving expert clinicians also confirms this improvement. The comprehensive evaluation demonstrates our method's potential to enhance the iOCT image quality, thereby facilitating successful guidance for regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Komninos
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, SE1 7EU, London, UK
| | - Theodoros Pissas
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, SE1 7EU, London, UK
| | | | | | - Tom Vercauteren
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, SE1 7EU, London, UK
| | - Sébastien Ourselin
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, SE1 7EU, London, UK
| | - Lyndon Da Cruz
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, EC1V 2PD, London, UK
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, EC1V 9EL, London, UK
| | - Christos Bergeles
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, SE1 7EU, London, UK
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12
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Giacalone JC, Parkinson DH, Balikov DA, Rajesh CR. AMD and Stem Cell-Based Therapies. Int Ophthalmol Clin 2024; 64:21-33. [PMID: 38146879 PMCID: PMC10783850 DOI: 10.1097/iio.0000000000000510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prevalent and complex disease leading to severe vision loss. Stem cells offer promising prospects for AMD treatment as they can be differentiated into critical retinal cell types that could replace lost host retinal cells or provide trophic support to promote host retinal cell survival. However, challenges such as immune rejection, concerns regarding tumorigenicity, and genomic integrity must be addressed. Clinical trials with stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells have shown preliminary safety in treating dry AMD, but improvements in manufacturing and surgical techniques cell delivery are needed. Late-stage AMD poses additional hurdles, possibly requiring multi-layered grafts. Advancements in automation technologies and gene correction strategies show potential to enhance iPSC-based therapies. Stem cell-based treatments offer hope for AMD management, but further research and optimization are essential for successful clinical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Giacalone
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - David H. Parkinson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel A. Balikov
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - C. Rao Rajesh
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Division of Ophthalmology, Surgical Service, Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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13
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Finocchio L, Zeppieri M, Gabai A, Spadea L, Salati C. Recent Advances of Adipose-Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Retinal Diseases. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7015. [PMID: 38002628 PMCID: PMC10672618 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12227015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development of stem cell research in modern times, stem cell-based therapy has opened a new era of tissue regeneration, becoming one of the most promising strategies for currently untreatable retinal diseases. Among the various sources of stem cells, adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic modality due to their characteristics and multiple functions, which include immunoregulation, anti-apoptosis of neurons, cytokine and growth factor secretion, and antioxidative activities. Studies have shown that ADSCs can facilitate the replacement of dying cells, promote tissue remodeling and regeneration, and support the survival and growth of retinal cells. Recent studies in this field have provided numerous experiments using different preclinical models. The aim of our review is to provide an overview of the therapeutic strategies, modern-day clinical trials, experimental models, and potential clinical use of this fascinating class of cells in addressing retinal disorders and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Finocchio
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (L.F.)
| | - Marco Zeppieri
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (L.F.)
| | - Andrea Gabai
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (L.F.)
| | - Leopoldo Spadea
- Eye Clinic, Policlinico Umberto I, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00142 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Salati
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy; (L.F.)
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14
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Ma J, Fang X, Chen M, Wang Y, Zhang L. Hyaluronan-CD44 Interaction Regulates Mouse Retinal Progenitor Cells Migration, Proliferation and Neuronal Differentiation. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:2929-2942. [PMID: 37707669 PMCID: PMC10661819 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10622-1] [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] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Cell-based therapies have shown great potential because of their abilities to replace dying retinal neuron cells and preserve vision. The migration, proliferation and differentiation of retinal progenitor cells(RPCs) plays a vital role in the integration of the RPCs into the retina when transplanted into the host. Our study aimed to explore the effects of Hyaluronan(HA)-CD44 interactions on the regulation of RPCs migration, proliferation and differentiation, and investigate the underlying regulatory mechanisms. We found that CD44 was expressed in RPCs, and the HA-CD44 interaction markedly improved RPCs adhesion and migration. The stimulation of microRNA-21(miR-21) expression by the HA-CD44 interaction was protein kinase C (PKC)/Nanog-dependent in RPCs. Treatment of RPCs with PKC- or Nanog-specific ASODN or miR-21 antagomir effectively blocked HA-mediated RPCs adhesion and migration. Moreover, Rho-Kinase(ROK)/ Grb2-associated binders(Gab-1) associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/AKT signalling activation was required for HA-CD44 interaction mediated RPCs proliferation and neuronal differentiation. Our findings demonstrated new roles for the HA-CD44 interaction in regulating the migration, proliferation and neuronal differentiation of RPCs. HA-CD44 signalling could represent a novel approach to controlling RPC fates, and the findings may be instructive for the application of RPCs for future therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Ma
- Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
| | - Xiaoyun Fang
- Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Min Chen
- Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Eye Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
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15
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Gupta S, Lytvynchuk L, Ardan T, Studenovska H, Sharma R, Faura G, Eide L, Shanker Verma R, Znaor L, Erceg S, Stieger K, Motlik J, Petrovski G, Bharti K. Progress in Stem Cells-Based Replacement Therapy for Retinal Pigment Epithelium: In Vitro Differentiation to In Vivo Delivery. Stem Cells Transl Med 2023; 12:536-552. [PMID: 37459045 PMCID: PMC10427969 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szad039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a critical cell monolayer forming the blood-retina-barrier (BRB) and a permeable bridge between the choriocapillaris and the retina. RPE is also crucial in maintaining photoreceptor function and for completing the visual cycle. Loss of the RPE is associated with the development of degenerative diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD). To treat diseases like AMD, pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE (pRPE) has been recently explored extensively as a regenerative module. pRPE like other ectodermal tissues requires specific lineage differentiation and long-term in vitro culturing for maturation. Therefore, understanding the differentiation process of RPE could be useful for stem cell-based RPE derivation. Developing pRPE-based transplants and delivering them into the subretinal space is another aspect that has garnered interest in the last decade. In this review, we discuss the basic strategies currently employed for stem cell-based RPE derivation, their delivery, and recent clinical studies related to pRPE transplantation in patients. We have also discussed a few limitations with in vitro RPE culture and potential solutions to overcome such problems which can be helpful in developing functional RPE tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Gupta
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lyubomyr Lytvynchuk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, Karl Landsteiner Institute for Retinal Research and Imaging, Vienna, Austria
| | - Taras Ardan
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Cell Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Studenovska
- Department of Biomaterials and Bioanalogous Systems, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ruchi Sharma
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Georgina Faura
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Eide
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rama Shanker Verma
- Stem Cell and Molecular Biology, Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences. Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ljubo Znaor
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Split School of Medicine and University Hospital Centre, Split, Croatia
| | - Slaven Erceg
- Research Center “Principe Felipe,” Stem Cell Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Neuroregeneration, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Knut Stieger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jan Motlik
- Laboratory of Cell Regeneration and Cell Plasticity, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Goran Petrovski
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Split School of Medicine and University Hospital Centre, Split, Croatia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kapil Bharti
- Ocular and Stem Cell Translational Research, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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16
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Wang X, Wang T, Lam E, Alvarez D, Sun Y. Ocular Vascular Diseases: From Retinal Immune Privilege to Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12090. [PMID: 37569464 PMCID: PMC10418793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The eye is an immune privileged tissue that insulates the visual system from local and systemic immune provocation to preserve homeostatic functions of highly specialized retinal neural cells. If immune privilege is breached, immune stimuli will invade the eye and subsequently trigger acute inflammatory responses. Local resident microglia become active and release numerous immunological factors to protect the integrity of retinal neural cells. Although acute inflammatory responses are necessary to control and eradicate insults to the eye, chronic inflammation can cause retinal tissue damage and cell dysfunction, leading to ocular disease and vision loss. In this review, we summarized features of immune privilege in the retina and the key inflammatory responses, factors, and intracellular pathways activated when retinal immune privilege fails, as well as a highlight of the recent clinical and research advances in ocular immunity and ocular vascular diseases including retinopathy of prematurity, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.W.)
| | - Tianxi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.W.)
| | - Enton Lam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.W.)
| | - David Alvarez
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ye Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (X.W.)
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17
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Ahluwalia K, Martinez-Camarillo JC, Thomas BB, Naik A, Gonzalez-Calle A, Pollalis D, Lebkowski J, Lee SY, Mitra D, Louie SG, Humayun MS. Polarized RPE Secretome Preserves Photoreceptors in Retinal Dystrophic RCS Rats. Cells 2023; 12:1689. [PMID: 37443724 PMCID: PMC10340490 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa, lack effective therapies. Conventional monotherapeutic approaches fail to target the multiple affected pathways in retinal degeneration. However, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) secretes several neurotrophic factors addressing diverse cellular pathways, potentially preserving photoreceptors. This study explored human embryonic stem cell-derived, polarized RPE soluble factors (PRPE-SF) as a combination treatment for retinal degeneration. PRPE-SF promoted retinal progenitor cell survival, reduced oxidative stress in ARPE-19 cells, and demonstrated critical antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects for preventing retinal degeneration in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat model. Importantly, PRPE-SF treatment preserved retinal structure and scotopic b-wave amplitudes, suggesting therapeutic potential for delaying retinal degeneration. PRPE-SF is uniquely produced using biomimetic membranes for RPE polarization and maturation, promoting a protective RPE secretome phenotype. Additionally, PRPE-SF is produced without animal serum to avoid immunogenicity in future clinical development. Lastly, PRPE-SF is a combination of neurotrophic factors, potentially ameliorating multiple dysfunctions in retinal degenerations. In conclusion, PRPE-SF offers a promising therapeutic candidate for retinal degenerative diseases, advancing the development of effective therapeutic strategies for these debilitating conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabir Ahluwalia
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (K.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Juan-Carlos Martinez-Camarillo
- USC Ginsburg Institute of for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (J.-C.M.-C.); (B.B.T.); (A.G.-C.); (D.P.); (S.Y.L.); (D.M.)
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Biju B. Thomas
- USC Ginsburg Institute of for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (J.-C.M.-C.); (B.B.T.); (A.G.-C.); (D.P.); (S.Y.L.); (D.M.)
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Aditya Naik
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (K.A.); (A.N.)
| | - Alejandra Gonzalez-Calle
- USC Ginsburg Institute of for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (J.-C.M.-C.); (B.B.T.); (A.G.-C.); (D.P.); (S.Y.L.); (D.M.)
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Dimitrios Pollalis
- USC Ginsburg Institute of for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (J.-C.M.-C.); (B.B.T.); (A.G.-C.); (D.P.); (S.Y.L.); (D.M.)
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jane Lebkowski
- Regenerative Patch Technologies LLC, Menlo Park, CA 94028, USA;
| | - Sun Young Lee
- USC Ginsburg Institute of for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (J.-C.M.-C.); (B.B.T.); (A.G.-C.); (D.P.); (S.Y.L.); (D.M.)
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Physiology & Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Debbie Mitra
- USC Ginsburg Institute of for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (J.-C.M.-C.); (B.B.T.); (A.G.-C.); (D.P.); (S.Y.L.); (D.M.)
| | - Stan G. Louie
- Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; (K.A.); (A.N.)
- USC Ginsburg Institute of for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (J.-C.M.-C.); (B.B.T.); (A.G.-C.); (D.P.); (S.Y.L.); (D.M.)
| | - Mark S. Humayun
- USC Ginsburg Institute of for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; (J.-C.M.-C.); (B.B.T.); (A.G.-C.); (D.P.); (S.Y.L.); (D.M.)
- USC Roski Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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18
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Du Y, Yan B. Ocular immune privilege and retinal pigment epithelial cells. J Leukoc Biol 2023; 113:288-304. [PMID: 36805720 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiac016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The ocular tissue microenvironment is immune-privileged and uses multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms to prevent the induction of inflammation. The retinal pigment epithelium plays an essential role in ocular immune privilege. In addition to serving as a blood barrier separating the fenestrated choriocapillaris from the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium is a source of immunosuppressive cytokines and membrane-bound negative regulators that modulate the activity of immune cells within the retina. This article reviews the current understanding of how retinal pigment epithelium cells mediate immune regulation, focusing on the changes under pathologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Du
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Jining Medical University, No. 133, Hehua Road, Taibaihu New District, Jining, Shandong 272067, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Yan
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Jining Medical University, No. 133, Hehua Road, Taibaihu New District, Jining, Shandong 272067, People's Republic of China
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19
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Shen B, Gao H, Zhang D, Yu H, Chen J, Huang S, Gu P, Zhong Y. miR-124-3p regulates the proliferation and differentiation of retinal progenitor cells through SEPT10. Cell Tissue Res 2023:10.1007/s00441-023-03750-0. [PMID: 36802303 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03750-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases such as glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration pose serious threats to human visual health due to lack of effective therapeutic approaches. In recent years, the transplantation of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) has shown increasing promise in the treatment of these diseases; however, the application of RPC transplantation is limited by both their poor proliferation and their differentiation capabilities. Previous studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNA) act as essential mediators in the fate determination of stem/progenitor cells. In this study, we hypothesized that miR-124-3p plays a regulatory role in the fate of RPC determination by targeting Septin10 (SEPT10) in vitro. We observed that the overexpression of miR124-3p downregulates SEPT10 expression in RPCs, leading to reduced RPC proliferation and increased differentiation, specifically towards both neurons and ganglion cells. Conversely, antisense knockdown of miR-124-3p was shown to boost SEPT10 expression, enhance RPC proliferation, and attenuate differentiation. Moreover, overexpression of SEPT10 rescued miR-124-3p-caused proliferation deficiency while weakening the enhancement of miR-124-3p-induced-RPC differentiation. Results from this study show that miR-124-3p regulates RPC proliferation and differentiation by targeting SEPT10. Furthermore, our findings enable a more comprehensive understanding into the mechanisms of proliferation and differentiation of RPC fate determination. Ultimately, this study may be useful for helping researchers and clinicians to develop more promising and effective approaches to optimize the use of RPCs in treating retinal degeneration diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqiao Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Huiqin Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Huan Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Junjue Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shouyue Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ping Gu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Yisheng Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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20
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Kong AW, Ou Y. The Catcher in the Eye: Stem Cells as a Therapeutic for Glaucoma. Ophthalmol Glaucoma 2023; 6:1-3. [PMID: 35988004 PMCID: PMC10467448 DOI: 10.1016/j.ogla.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan W Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, California
| | - Yvonne Ou
- Department of Ophthalmology, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, California.
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21
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Grigoryan EN. Cell Sources for Retinal Regeneration: Implication for Data Translation in Biomedicine of the Eye. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233755. [PMID: 36497013 PMCID: PMC9738527 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The main degenerative diseases of the retina include macular degeneration, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and glaucoma. Novel approaches for treating retinal diseases are based on cell replacement therapy using a variety of exogenous stem cells. An alternative and complementary approach is the potential use of retinal regeneration cell sources (RRCSs) containing retinal pigment epithelium, ciliary body, Müller glia, and retinal ciliary region. RRCSs in lower vertebrates in vivo and in mammals mostly in vitro are able to proliferate and exhibit gene expression and epigenetic characteristics typical for neural/retinal cell progenitors. Here, we review research on the factors controlling the RRCSs' properties, such as the cell microenvironment, growth factors, cytokines, hormones, etc., that determine the regenerative responses and alterations underlying the RRCS-associated pathologies. We also discuss how the current data on molecular features and regulatory mechanisms of RRCSs could be translated in retinal biomedicine with a special focus on (1) attempts to obtain retinal neurons de novo both in vivo and in vitro to replace damaged retinal cells; and (2) investigations of the key molecular networks stimulating regenerative responses and preventing RRCS-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora N Grigoryan
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
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22
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Humayun MS, Lee SY. Advanced Retina Implants. Ophthalmol Retina 2022; 6:899-905. [PMID: 35436597 DOI: 10.1016/j.oret.2022.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To discuss the role of advanced retinal implants in retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. DESIGN Presented by Mark S. Humayun as the Charles Schepen's Lecture on the Retina Subspecialty Day of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2021. PARTICIPANTS The details of subjects, participants, and controls are provided in the references pertaining to each study. METHODS Review of published literature and clinical trials. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual and anatomic outcomes from retinal implants. RESULTS Retinal implants have been researched over the past few decades, and some have been advanced into the clinic. Two types of implants-bioelectronic and stem cell-based-have shown promising results in restoring some level of vision in patients with inherited retinal degeneration and geographic atrophy. These implants differ in their constructions, locations of implantation, and safety profiles. The results from some of these retinal implants have shown signs of efficacy, and 1 retinal implant, the Argus II, has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. CONCLUSIONS Careful consideration of the design of the implant and associated surgical techniques are necessary to obtain a stable and effective long-term interface between the implant and the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Humayun
- University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Denney Research Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Sun Young Lee
- University of Southern California Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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23
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Customized strategies for high-yield purification of retinal pigment epithelial cells differentiated from different stem cell sources. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15563. [PMID: 36114268 PMCID: PMC9481580 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19777-2] [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: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractRetinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell dysfunction and death are characteristics of age-related macular degeneration. A promising therapeutic option is RPE cell transplantation. Development of clinical grade stem-cell derived RPE requires efficient in vitro differentiation and purification methods. Enzymatic purification of RPE relies on the relative adherence of RPE and non-RPE cells to the culture plate. However, morphology and adherence of non-RPE cells differ for different stem cell sources. In cases whereby the non-RPE adhered as strongly as RPE cells to the culture plate, enzymatic method of purification is unsuitable. Thus, we hypothesized the need to customize purification strategies for RPE derived from different stem cell sources. We systematically compared five different RPE purification methods, including manual, enzymatic, flow cytometry-based sorting or combinations thereof for parameters including cell throughput, yield, purity and functionality. Flow cytometry-based approach was suitable for RPE isolation from heterogeneous cultures with highly adherent non-RPE cells, albeit with lower yield. Although all five purification methods generated pure and functional RPE, there were significant differences in yield and processing times. Based on the high purity of the resulting RPE and relatively short processing time, we conclude that a combination of enzymatic and manual purification is ideal for clinical applications.
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24
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Fabre M, Mateo L, Lamaa D, Baillif S, Pagès G, Demange L, Ronco C, Benhida R. Recent Advances in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Therapies. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27165089. [PMID: 36014339 PMCID: PMC9414333 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was described for the first time in the 1840s and is currently the leading cause of blindness for patients over 65 years in Western Countries. This disease impacts the eye’s posterior segment and damages the macula, a retina section with high levels of photoreceptor cells and responsible for the central vision. Advanced AMD stages are divided into the atrophic (dry) form and the exudative (wet) form. Atrophic AMD consists in the progressive atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the outer retinal layers, while the exudative form results in the anarchic invasion by choroidal neo-vessels of RPE and the retina. This invasion is responsible for fluid accumulation in the intra/sub-retinal spaces and for a progressive dysfunction of the photoreceptor cells. To date, the few existing anti-AMD therapies may only delay or suspend its progression, without providing cure to patients. However, in the last decade, an outstanding number of research programs targeting its different aspects have been initiated by academics and industrials. This review aims to bring together the most recent advances and insights into the mechanisms underlying AMD pathogenicity and disease evolution, and to highlight the current hypotheses towards the development of new treatments, i.e., symptomatic vs. curative. The therapeutic options and drugs proposed to tackle these mechanisms are analyzed and critically compared. A particular emphasis has been given to the therapeutic agents currently tested in clinical trials, whose results have been carefully collected and discussed whenever possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Fabre
- Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Lou Mateo
- Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Diana Lamaa
- CiTCoM, UMR 8038 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Paris Cité, 4, Avenue de l’Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Baillif
- Ophthalmology Department, University Hospital of Nice, 30 Avenue De La Voie Romaine, 06000 Nice, France
| | - Gilles Pagès
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging (IRCAN), UMR 7284 and INSERM U 1081, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
| | - Luc Demange
- Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
- CiTCoM, UMR 8038 CNRS, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Paris Cité, 4, Avenue de l’Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France
- Correspondence: (L.D.); (C.R.); (R.B.)
| | - Cyril Ronco
- Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (L.D.); (C.R.); (R.B.)
| | - Rachid Benhida
- Institut de Chimie de Nice UMR 7272, Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences-Green Process Engineering (CBS-GPE), Mohamed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Benguerir 43150, Morocco
- Correspondence: (L.D.); (C.R.); (R.B.)
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25
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Gullapalli VK, Zarbin MA. New Prospects for Retinal Pigment Epithelium Transplantation. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2022; 11:302-313. [PMID: 36041145 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplants rescue photoreceptors in selected animal models of retinal degenerative disease. Early clinical studies of RPE transplants as treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) included autologous and allogeneic transplants of RPE suspensions and RPE sheets for atrophic and neovascular complications of AMD. Subsequent studies explored autologous RPE-Bruch membrane-choroid transplants in patients with neovascular AMD with occasional marked visual benefit, which establishes a rationale for RPE transplants in late-stage AMD. More recent work has involved transplantation of autologous and allogeneic stem cell-derived RPE for patients with AMD and those with Stargardt disease. These early-stage clinical trials have employed RPE suspensions and RPE monolayers on biocompatible scaffolds. Safety has been well documented, but evidence of efficacy is variable. Current research involves development of better scaffolds, improved modulation of immune surveillance, and modification of the extracellular milieu to improve RPE survival and integration with host retina.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco A Zarbin
- Iinstitute of Ophthalmology and visual Science, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, US
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26
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Marsh-Armstrong B, Murrell KS, Valente D, Jonnal RS. Using directional OCT to analyze photoreceptor visibility over AMD-related drusen. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9763. [PMID: 35697705 PMCID: PMC9192709 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigators have reported reduced visibility of the cone photoreceptors overlying drusen using adaptive optics (AO) imaging techniques. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. First, the disease-related deformation of the photoreceptor outer segment (OS) may reduce its ability to act as a wave guide, thus decreasing the cell's familiar reflectance pattern. Second, drusen could disorient the photoreceptors away from the eye's pupil, reducing the amount of light reflected back out the pupil. In this work, we use directional OCT (dOCT) images of drusen in AMD patients to measure the respective contributions of these deforming and disorienting factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelly S. Murrell
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684University of California, Davis Eye Center, Sacramento, USA
| | - Denise Valente
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684University of California, Davis Eye Center, Sacramento, USA
| | - Ravi S. Jonnal
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684University of California, Davis Eye Center, Sacramento, USA
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27
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Li L, Yu Y, Lin S, Hu J. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration after stem cell transplantation: systematic review and meta-analysis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:237. [PMID: 35672801 PMCID: PMC9172101 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02931-y] [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: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stem cell transplantation may improve visual acuity in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration. Herein, we aimed to summarise the evidence on the risks and benefits of stem cell transplantation for improving visual acuity, including the risk of adverse events. Methods Data were obtained from the PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases, and each database was interrogated from the date of inception until 19 March 2022. The rates of visual acuity outcomes and adverse events associated with stem cell transplantation were examined. All statistical analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD 42022322902). Results The analysis examined 10 studies (102 patients), including one and three, randomised and non-randomised clinical trials, and one and five, multicentre prospective and prospective clinical trials, respectively. Meta-analysis showed changes in best-corrected visual acuity in the study eyes after stem cell transplantation (6 months: risk ratio [RR] = 17.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.08–47.56, P < 0.00001; 12 months: RR = 11.00, 95% CI 2.36–51.36, P = 0.002). Subgroup analysis showed that different stem cell types achieved better best-corrected visual acuity at post-operative 6 months, compared to that observed at baseline. Four cases of related ocular adverse events and no related systemic adverse events were reported. Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that stem cell transplantation may improve best-corrected visual acuity in dry age-related macular degeneration, based on small sample sizes and fewer randomised controlled trials. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-02931-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Licheng Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Engineering Research Centre of Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment, Fujian Province University, No. 34 North Zhongshan Road, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Engineering Research Centre of Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment, Fujian Province University, No. 34 North Zhongshan Road, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shu Lin
- Centre of Neurological and Metabolic Research, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, No. 34 North Zhongshan Road, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian Province, China. .,Group of Neuroendocrinology, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria St, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Jianmin Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Engineering Research Centre of Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment, Fujian Province University, No. 34 North Zhongshan Road, Quanzhou, 362000, Fujian Province, China. .,The School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China.
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28
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Dehghan S, Mirshahi R, Shoae-Hassani A, Naseripour M. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells-derived retinal pigmented epithelium, a new horizon for cells-based therapies for age-related macular degeneration. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:217. [PMID: 35619143 PMCID: PMC9137077 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02894-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration is the hallmark of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD, as one of the most common causes of irreversible visual impairment worldwide, remains in need of an appropriate approach to restore retinal function. Wet AMD, which is characterized by neovascular formation, can be stabilized by currently available therapies, including laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and intraocular injections of anti-VEFG (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy or a combination of these modalities. Unlike wet AMD, there is no effective therapy for progressive dry (non-neovascular) AMD. However, stem cell-based therapies, a part of regenerative medicine, have shown promising results for retinal degenerative diseases such as AMD. The goal of RPE cell therapy is to return the normal structure and function of the retina by re-establishing its interaction with photoreceptors, which is essential to vision. Considering the limited source of naturally occurring RPE cells, recent progress in stem cell research has allowed the generation of RPE cells from human pluripotent cells, both embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Since iPSCs face neither ethical arguments nor significant immunological considerations when compared to ESCs, they open a new horizon for cell therapy of AMD. The current study aims to discuss AMD, review the protocols for making human iPSCs-derived RPEs, and summarize recent developments in the field of iPSC-derived RPEs cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh Dehghan
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Eye Research Center, The Five Senses Health Institute, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Mirshahi
- Eye Research Center, The Five Senses Health Institute, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Shoae-Hassani
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masood Naseripour
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Eye Research Center, The Five Senses Health Institute, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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29
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Kashani AH. Stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium transplantation in age-related macular degeneration: recent advances and challenges. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2022; 33:211-218. [PMID: 35200164 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000000838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss in the world with more than 80% of the prevalence accounted for by the nonneovascular (NNAMD) or 'dry' form of the disease. NNAMD does not have any definitive treatment once vision loss has ensued and presents a major unmet medical need. This review will highlight stem cell-based therapies that are a promising form of treatment for advanced NNAMD. RECENT FINDINGS In the past decade, clinical trials utilizing both induced pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE and human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE have been aggressively pursued as potential treatments of RPE loss and prevention of overlying neurosensory atrophy. While promising preliminary results demonstrating safety and potential efficacy have been published, new challenges have also been identified. These include selecting the most appropriate cell-based therapy, identifying and managing potential immune response as well as characterizing anatomic and functional efficacy. In this review, we will discuss some of these challenges in light of the available data from several early phase clinical trials and discuss the strategies that are being considered to further advance the field. SUMMARY Cell-based therapies demonstrate promising potential to treat advanced stages of NNAMD. Several early phase clinical trials using both induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and human embryonic stem cell derived (hESC) have demonstrated safety and preliminary signs of efficacy and highlighted remaining challenges which appear surmountable. These challenges include development of selection criteria for use of cell suspensions versus RPE sheets, especially in light of immunological properties of RPE that are intrinsic to the status of RPE differentiation in each of these cell formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir H Kashani
- Department of Ophthalmology and Biomedical Engineering, T Boone Pickens Professorship in Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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30
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Komninos C, Pissas T, Mekki L, Flores B, Bloch E, Vercauteren T, Ourselin S, Da Cruz L, Bergeles C. Surgical biomicroscopy-guided intra-operative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) image super-resolution. Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 2022; 17:877-883. [PMID: 35364774 PMCID: PMC9110549 DOI: 10.1007/s11548-022-02603-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Intra-retinal delivery of novel sight-restoring therapies will require the precision of robotic systems accompanied by excellent visualisation of retinal layers. Intra-operative Optical Coherence Tomography (iOCT) provides cross-sectional retinal images in real time but at the cost of image quality that is insufficient for intra-retinal therapy delivery.This paper proposes a super-resolution methodology that improves iOCT image quality leveraging spatiotemporal consistency of incoming iOCT video streams. Methods To overcome the absence of ground truth high-resolution (HR) images, we first generate HR iOCT images by fusing spatially aligned iOCT video frames. Then, we automatically assess the quality of the HR images on key retinal layers using a deep semantic segmentation model. Finally, we use image-to-image translation models (Pix2Pix and CycleGAN) to enhance the quality of LR images via quality transfer from the estimated HR domain. Results Our proposed methodology generates iOCT images of improved quality according to both full-reference and no-reference metrics. A qualitative study with expert clinicians also confirms the improvement in the delineation of pertinent layers and in the reduction of artefacts. Furthermore, our approach outperforms conventional denoising filters and the learning-based state-of-the-art. Conclusions The results indicate that the learning-based methods using the estimated, through our pipeline, HR domain can be used to enhance the iOCT image quality. Therefore, the proposed method can computationally augment the capabilities of iOCT imaging helping this modality support the vitreoretinal surgical interventions of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Komninos
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EU, UK.
| | - Theodoros Pissas
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EU, UK.,Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, University College London, London, W1W 7TS, UK
| | - Lina Mekki
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EU, UK
| | | | - Edward Bloch
- Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, University College London, London, W1W 7TS, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Tom Vercauteren
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EU, UK
| | - Sébastien Ourselin
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EU, UK
| | - Lyndon Da Cruz
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, EC1V 2PD, UK.,Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Christos Bergeles
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, SE1 7EU, UK
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31
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The Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)-Preventing Mechanism of Natural Products. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10040678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is related to central visual loss in elderly people and, based on the increment in the percentage of the aging population, the number of people suffering from AMD could increase. AMD is initiated by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death, finally leading to neovascularization in the macula lutea. AMD is an uncurable disease, but the symptom can be suppressed. The current therapy of AMD can be classified into four types: device-based treatment, anti-inflammatory drug treatment, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment, and natural product treatment. All these therapies have adverse effects, however early AMD therapy used with products has several advantages, as it can prevent RPE cell apoptosis in safe doses. Cell death (apoptosis) is caused by various factors, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, carbonyl stress, and a deficiency in essential components for cells, and RPE cell death is related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and carbonyl stress. Some natural products have anti-oxidative effects, anti-inflammation effects, and/or anti-carbonylation effects. The AMD preventive mechanism of natural products varies, with some natural products activating one or more anti-apoptotic pathways, such as the Nrf2/HO-1 anti-oxidative pathway, the anti-inflammasome pathway, and the anti-carbonyl pathway. As AMD drug candidates from natural products effectively inhibit RPE cell death, they have the potential to be developed as drugs for preventing early (dry) AMD.
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32
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Huang X, Gao H, Xu H. Editorial: Stem Cell-Based Therapy in Retinal Degeneration. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:879659. [PMID: 35401093 PMCID: PMC8990161 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.879659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Huang
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Amy Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Gao
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Amy Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Amy Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Key Lab of Visual Damage and Regeneration and Restoration of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Haiwei Xu
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33
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Zulkifli Z, Tan JJ, Ku Marsilla KI, Rusli A, Abdullah MK, Shuib RK, Shafiq MD, Abdul Hamid ZA. Shape memory poly (glycerol sebacate)‐based electrospun fiber scaffolds for tissue engineering applications: A review. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.52272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zulaikha Zulkifli
- School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus Nibong Tebal Pulau Pinang Malaysia
| | - Jun Jie Tan
- Regenerative Medicine Cluster, Advanced Medical & Dental Institute Universiti Sains Malaysia Kepala Batas Malaysia
| | - Ku Ishak Ku Marsilla
- School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus Nibong Tebal Pulau Pinang Malaysia
| | - Arjulizan Rusli
- School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus Nibong Tebal Pulau Pinang Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Khalil Abdullah
- School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus Nibong Tebal Pulau Pinang Malaysia
| | - Raa Khimi Shuib
- School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus Nibong Tebal Pulau Pinang Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Danial Shafiq
- School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus Nibong Tebal Pulau Pinang Malaysia
| | - Zuratul Ain Abdul Hamid
- School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus Nibong Tebal Pulau Pinang Malaysia
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34
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Kashani AH, Lebkowski JS, Hinton DR, Zhu D, Faynus MA, Chen S, Rahhal FM, Avery RL, Salehi-Had H, Chan C, Palejwala N, Ingram A, Dang W, Lin CM, Mitra D, Martinez-Camarillo JC, Bailey J, Arnold C, Pennington BO, Rao N, Johnson LV, Clegg DO, Humayun MS. Survival of an HLA-mismatched, bioengineered RPE implant in dry age-related macular degeneration. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:448-458. [PMID: 35120620 PMCID: PMC9039755 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-based therapies face challenges, including poor cell survival, immune rejection, and integration into pathologic tissue. We conducted an open-label phase 1/2a clinical trial to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of a subretinal implant consisting of a polarized monolayer of allogeneic human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells in subjects with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration. Postmortem histology from one subject with very advanced disease shows the presence of donor RPE cells 2 years after implantation by immunoreactivity for RPE65 and donor-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. Markers of RPE cell polarity and phagocytosis suggest donor RPE function. Further histologic examination demonstrated CD34+ structures beneath the implant and CD4+, CD68+, and FoxP3+ cells in the tissue. Despite significant donor-host HLA mismatch, no clinical signs of retinitis, vitreitis, vasculitis, choroiditis, or serologic immune response were detected in the deceased subject or any other subject in the study. Subretinally implanted, HLA-mismatched donor RPE cells survive, express functional markers, and do not elicit clinically detectable intraocular inflammation or serologic immune responses even without long-term immunosuppression. Clinical trial of allogeneic RPE cell transplant as AMD therapeutic Postmortem histology shows 2-year survival and function of donor RPE cells Transplanted RPE cells are mature, polarized, and phagocytic Serologic immune and clinical cellular inflammatory responses are not detected
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir H Kashani
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21087 USA
| | - Jane S Lebkowski
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, 150 Gabarda Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028, USA
| | - David R Hinton
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, 7503, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; USC Roski Eye Institute, USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1450 San Pablo, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Danhong Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, 7503, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Mohamed A Faynus
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, 150 Gabarda Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028, USA; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, Mail Code 5060, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93016, USA
| | - Sanford Chen
- Orange County Retina Medical Group, 1200 N. Tustin Avenue, Suite 140, Santa Ana, CA 92705, USA
| | - Firas M Rahhal
- Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, 9001 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 301, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, USA
| | - Robert L Avery
- California Retina Consultants, 525 E. Micheltorena Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103, USA
| | - Hani Salehi-Had
- Retina Associates of Southern California, 7777 Edinger Avenue, Suite 234, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA
| | - Clement Chan
- Southern California Desert Retina Consultants, University Park, 36-949 Cook Street, Suite 101, Palm Desert, CA 92211, USA
| | - Neal Palejwala
- Retinal Consultants of Arizona, 15401 North 29th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85053, USA
| | - April Ingram
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, 150 Gabarda Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028, USA
| | - Wei Dang
- Center for Biomedicine and Genetics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Chih-Min Lin
- Center for Biomedicine and Genetics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, 1500 East Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Debbie Mitra
- USC Roski Eye Institute, USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1450 San Pablo, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | | | - Jeff Bailey
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, 150 Gabarda Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028, USA; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, Mail Code 5060, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93016, USA
| | - Cassidy Arnold
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, 150 Gabarda Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028, USA; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, Mail Code 5060, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93016, USA
| | - Britney O Pennington
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, 150 Gabarda Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028, USA; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, Mail Code 5060, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93016, USA
| | - Narsing Rao
- USC Roski Eye Institute, USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1450 San Pablo, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Lincoln V Johnson
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, 150 Gabarda Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028, USA
| | - Dennis O Clegg
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, Mail Code 5060, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93016, USA
| | - Mark S Humayun
- USC Roski Eye Institute, USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1450 San Pablo, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Denney Research Center (DRB) 140, University of Southern California, 1042 Downey Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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Rizzolo LJ, Nasonkin IO, Adelman RA. OUP accepted manuscript. Stem Cells Transl Med 2022; 11:269-281. [PMID: 35356975 PMCID: PMC8968686 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szac001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells grown on a scaffold, an RPE patch, have potential to ameliorate visual impairment in a limited number of retinal degenerative conditions. This tissue-replacement therapy is suited for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and related diseases. RPE cells must be transplanted before the disease reaches a point of no return, represented by the loss of photoreceptors. Photoreceptors are specialized, terminally differentiated neurosensory cells that must interact with RPE’s apical processes to be functional. Human photoreceptors are not known to regenerate. On the RPE’s basal side, the RPE transplant must induce the reformation of the choriocapillaris, thereby re-establishing the outer blood-retinal barrier. Because the scaffold is positioned between the RPE and choriocapillaris, it should ideally degrade and be replaced by the natural extracellular matrix that separates these tissues. Besides biodegradable, the scaffolds need to be nontoxic, thin enough to not affect the focal length of the eye, strong enough to survive the transplant procedure, yet flexible enough to conform to the curvature of the retina. The challenge is patients with progressing AMD treasure their remaining vision and fear that a risky surgical procedure will further degrade their vision. Accordingly, clinical trials only treat eyes with severe impairment that have few photoreceptors to interact with the transplanted patch. Although safety has been demonstrated, the cell-replacement mechanism and efficacy remain difficult to validate. This review covers the structure of the retina, the pathology of AMD, the limitations of cell therapy approaches, and the recent progress in developing retinal therapies using biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence J Rizzolo
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Corresponding author: Lawrence J. Rizzolo, PhD, 24 Long Hill Farm, Guilford, CT 06437, USA. Tel: 203-676-5583;
| | - Igor O Nasonkin
- Phythera Therapeutics LLC, San Leandro, CA, USA
- Igor O. Nasonkin, Phythera Therapeutics, 3021 Teagarden street, San Leandro, CA 92612, USA. Telephone: 510-205-7828;
| | - Ron A Adelman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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German OL, Vallese-Maurizi H, Soto TB, Rotstein NP, Politi LE. Retina stem cells, hopes and obstacles. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:1446-1479. [PMID: 34786153 PMCID: PMC8567457 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i10.1446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal degeneration is a major contributor to visual dysfunction worldwide. Although it comprises several eye diseases, loss of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and photoreceptor cells are the major contributors to their pathogenesis. Early therapies included diverse treatments, such as provision of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and many survival and trophic factors that, in some cases, slow down the progression of the degeneration, but do not effectively prevent it. The finding of stem cells (SC) in the eye has led to the proposal of cell replacement strategies for retina degeneration. Therapies using different types of SC, such as retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), embryonic SC, pluripotent SCs (PSCs), induced PSCs (iPSCs), and mesenchymal stromal cells, capable of self-renewal and of differentiating into multiple cell types, have gained ample support. Numerous preclinical studies have assessed transplantation of SC in animal models, with encouraging results. The aim of this work is to revise the different preclinical and clinical approaches, analyzing the SC type used, their efficacy, safety, cell attachment and integration, absence of tumor formation and immunorejection, in order to establish which were the most relevant and successful. In addition, we examine the questions and concerns still open in the field. The data demonstrate the existence of two main approaches, aimed at replacing either RPE cells or photoreceptors. Emerging evidence suggests that RPCs and iPSC are the best candidates, presenting no ethical concerns and a low risk of immunorejection. Clinical trials have already supported the safety and efficacy of SC treatments. Serious concerns are pending, such as the risk of tumor formation, lack of attachment or integration of transplanted cells into host retinas, immunorejection, cell death, and also ethical. However, the amazing progress in the field in the last few years makes it possible to envisage safe and effective treatments to restore vision loss in a near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga L German
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahia blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, and Neurobiology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) Conicet, Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Harmonie Vallese-Maurizi
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahia blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, and Neurobiology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) Conicet, Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tamara B Soto
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, and Neurobiology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) Conicet, Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nora P Rotstein
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahia blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, and Neurobiology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) Conicet, Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luis Enrique Politi
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, and Neurobiology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) Conicet, Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Kashani AH, Lebkowski JS, Rahhal FM, Avery RL, Salehi-Had H, Chen S, Chan C, Palejwala N, Ingram A, Dang W, Lin CM, Mitra D, Pennington BO, Hinman C, Faynus MA, Bailey JK, Mohan S, Rao N, Johnson LV, Clegg DO, Hinton DR, Humayun MS. One-Year Follow-Up in a Phase 1/2a Clinical Trial of an Allogeneic RPE Cell Bioengineered Implant for Advanced Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:13. [PMID: 34613357 PMCID: PMC8496407 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.10.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To report 1-year follow-up of a phase 1/2a clinical trial testing a composite subretinal implant having polarized human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells on an ultrathin parylene substrate in subjects with advanced non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NNAMD) Methods The phase 1/2a clinical trial included 16 subjects in two cohorts. The main endpoint was safety assessed at 365 days using ophthalmic and systemic exams. Pseudophakic subjects with geographic atrophy (GA) and severe vision loss were eligible. Low-dose tacrolimus immunosuppression was utilized for 68 days in the peri-implantation period. The implant was delivered to the worst seeing eye with a custom subretinal insertion device in an outpatient setting. A data safety monitoring committee reviewed all results. Results The treated eyes of all subjects were legally blind with a baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ≤ 20/200. There were no unexpected serious adverse events. Four subjects in cohort 1 had serious ocular adverse events, including retinal hemorrhage, edema, focal retinal detachment, or RPE detachment, which was mitigated in cohort 2 using improved hemostasis during surgery. Although this study was not powered to assess efficacy, treated eyes from four subjects showed an increased BCVA of >5 letters (6–13 letters). A larger proportion of treated eyes experienced a >5-letter gain when compared with the untreated eye (27% vs. 7%; P = not significant) and a larger proportion of nonimplanted eyes demonstrated a >5-letter loss (47% vs. 33%; P = not significant). Conclusions Outpatient delivery of the implant can be performed routinely. At 1 year, the implant is safe and well tolerated in subjects with advanced dry AMD. Translational Relevance This work describes the first clinical trial, to our knowledge, of a novel implant for advanced dry AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir H Kashani
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Firas M Rahhal
- Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, Beverly Hills, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Sanford Chen
- Orange County Retina Medical Group, Santa Ana, CA, USA
| | - Clement Chan
- Southern California Desert Retina Consultants, Palm Desert, CA, USA
| | - Neal Palejwala
- Retinal Consultants of Arizona, Retinal Research Institute LLC, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - April Ingram
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Wei Dang
- Center for Biomedicine and Genetics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Chih-Min Lin
- Center for Biomedicine and Genetics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Debbie Mitra
- USC Roski Eye Institute, USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Britney O Pennington
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, Menlo Park, CA, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Cassidy Hinman
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, Menlo Park, CA, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Mohamed A Faynus
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, Menlo Park, CA, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey K Bailey
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, Menlo Park, CA, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Sukriti Mohan
- USC Roski Eye Institute, USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Narsing Rao
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lincoln V Johnson
- Regenerative Patch Technologies, Menlo Park, CA, USA.,Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Dennis O Clegg
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Engineering, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - David R Hinton
- USC Roski Eye Institute, USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mark S Humayun
- USC Roski Eye Institute, USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Khodamoradi M, Eskandari M, Keshvari H, Zarei R. An electro-conductive hybrid scaffold as an artificial Bruch's membrane. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 126:112180. [PMID: 34082980 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Many research groups have investigated the various kinds of scaffolds to mimic the natural Bruch's membrane (BM) and support the retinal pigmented epithelial cells to form an organized cellular monolayer. While using prosthetic BM is identified as a promising treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a degenerative and progressive retinal disease, the effects of different signals such as electrical and morphological cues on the retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells are still unknown. In this study, a laminated and conductive hydrogel/fiber composite scaffold by adding conductive polyaniline (PANi) to the scaffold's nanofibrous phase was prepared. This hybrid scaffold offers the closest morphology to the native structure of the human Bruch's membrane by imitating the inner and outer collagenous layer and induces the electrical signal to the scaffold to assess the electrical cue on behaviors of polarized retinal pigmented epithelial cells in the retina. The electrospun nanofibrous phase consisted of gelatin-Polyaniline in different ratios incorporated into the hydrogel precursor, a blend of gelatin and 4-armed PEG. We used a novel dual crosslinking process by incorporating the exposure of gamma irradiation and glutaraldehyde vapor treatment to construct the scaffold's hydrogel phase. The results showed the best composition was the sample which included the 40/60, Polyaniline/gelatin nanofiber sheets ratio because this scaffold revealed a 2.66 ± 0.33 MPa, Young's modulus and 1.84 ± 0.21 S/cm, electrochemical conductivity, which are close to the main features of native Bruch's membrane. In addition, this scaffold showed good biocompatibility by reaching 83.47% cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maedeh Khodamoradi
- Biomedical Engineering Faculty, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Eskandari
- Biomedical Engineering Faculty, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hamid Keshvari
- Biomedical Engineering Faculty, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Zarei
- Farabi Eye Hospital, Eye Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
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George SM, Lu F, Rao M, Leach LL, Gross JM. The retinal pigment epithelium: Development, injury responses, and regenerative potential in mammalian and non-mammalian systems. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 85:100969. [PMID: 33901682 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diseases that result in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are among the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Atrophic (dry) AMD is the most prevalent form of AMD and there are currently no effective therapies to prevent RPE cell death or restore RPE cells lost from AMD. An intriguing approach to treat AMD and other RPE degenerative diseases is to develop therapies focused on stimulating endogenous RPE regeneration. For this to become feasible, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying RPE development, injury responses and regenerative potential is needed. In mammals, RPE regeneration is extremely limited; small lesions can be repaired by the expansion of adjacent RPE cells, but large lesions cannot be repaired as remaining RPE cells are unable to functionally replace lost RPE tissue. In some injury paradigms, RPE cells proliferate but do not regenerate a morphologically normal monolayer, while in others, proliferation is pathogenic and results in further disruption to the retina. This is in contrast to non-mammalian vertebrates, which possess tremendous RPE regenerative potential. Here, we discuss what is known about RPE formation during development in mammalian and non-mammalian vertebrates, we detail the processes by which RPE cells respond to injury, and we describe examples of RPE-to-retina and RPE-to-RPE regeneration in non-mammalian vertebrates. Finally, we outline barriers to RPE-dependent regeneration in mammals that could potentially be overcome to stimulate a regenerative response from the RPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M George
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Fangfang Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Mishal Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Lyndsay L Leach
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Gross
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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Viringipurampeer IA, Yanai A, Nizamudheen VS, Gregory-Evans CY, Gregory-Evans K. Photoreceptor precursor cell integration into rodent retina after treatment with novel glycopeptide PKX-001. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2021; 15:556-566. [PMID: 33779072 DOI: 10.1002/term.3193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cell replacement therapy is emerging as an important approach in novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Many problems remain, in particular improvements are needed in the survival of transplanted cells and increasing functional integration into host tissue. These problems arise because of immune rejection, suboptimal precursor cell type, trauma during cell transplantation, and toxic compounds released by dying tissues and nutritional deficiencies. We recently developed an ex vivo system to facilitate identification of factors contributing to the death of transplanted neuronal (photoreceptor) and showed 2.8-fold improvement in transplant cell survival after pretreatment with a novel glycopeptide (PKX-001). In this study, we extended these studies to look at cell survival, maturation, and functional integration in an in vivo rat model of rhodopsin-mutant retinitis pigmentosa causing blindness. We found that only when human photoreceptor precursor cells were preincubated with PKX-001 prior to transplantation, did the cells integrate and mature into cone photoreceptors expressing S-opsin or L/M opsin. In addition, ribbon synapses were observed in the transplanted cells suggesting they were making synaptic connections with the host tissue. Furthermore, optokinetic tracking and electroretinography responses in vivo were significantly improved compared to cell transplants without PKX-001 pre-treatment. These data demonstrate that PKX-001 promotes significant long-term stem cell survival in vivo, providing a platform for further investigation towards the clinical application to repair damaged or diseased retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishaq A Viringipurampeer
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye, Care Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Anat Yanai
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye, Care Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Vahitha S Nizamudheen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye, Care Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Cheryl Y Gregory-Evans
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye, Care Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kevin Gregory-Evans
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye, Care Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Oliveira CR, Paiva MRBD, Ribeiro MCS, Andrade GF, Carvalho JL, Gomes DA, Nehemy M, Fialho SL, Silva-Cunha A, Góes AMD. Human Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells as a Model for Drug Screening and Pre-Clinical Assays Compared to ARPE-19 Cell Line. Int J Stem Cells 2021; 14:74-84. [PMID: 33377455 PMCID: PMC7904525 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc20094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Eye diseases have a high socioeconomic impact on society and may be one of the fields in which most stem cell-related scientific accomplishments have been achieved recently. In this context, human Pluripotent Stem Cell (hPSC) technology arises as an important tool to produce and study human Embryonic Stem cell derived-Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells (hES-RPE) for several applications, such as cell therapy, disease modeling, and drug screening. The use of this technology in pre-clinical phases attends to the overall population desire for animal-free product development. Here, we aimed to compare hES-RPE cells with ARPE-19, one of the most commonly used retinal pigmented epithelial immortalized cell lines. Methods and Results Functional, cellular and molecular data obtained suggest that hES-RPE cells more closely resembles native RPEs compared to ARPE-19. Furthermore, hES-RPE revealed an interesting robustness when cultured on human Bruch’s membrane explants and after exposure to Cyclosporine (CSA), Sirolimus (SRL), Tacrolimus (TAC), Leflunomide (LEF) and Teriflunomide (TER). On these conditions, hES-RPE cells were able to survive at higher drug concentrations, while ARPE-19 cell line was more susceptible to cell death. Conclusions Therefore, hES-RPEs seem to have the ability to incur a broader range of RPE functions than ARPE-19 and should be more thoroughly explored for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Reis Oliveira
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gracielle Ferreira Andrade
- SENAN, Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - CDTN/CNEN, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Department of Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Dawidson Assis Gomes
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Márcio Nehemy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Sílvia Ligório Fialho
- Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Ezequiel Dias Foundation, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Armando Silva-Cunha
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alfredo Miranda de Góes
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Behtaj S, Karamali F, Masaeli E, G. Anissimov Y, Rybachuk M. Electrospun PGS/PCL, PLLA/PCL, PLGA/PCL and pure PCL scaffolds for retinal progenitor cell cultivation. Biochem Eng J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Pan T, Shen H, Yuan S, Lu G, Zhang Y, Wang H, Zhao Y, Sun X, Liu Q. Combined Transplantation With Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Retinal Rescue Effect of Human Fetal RPE Cells in Retinal Degeneration Mouse Model. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:9. [PMID: 32639552 PMCID: PMC7425709 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.8.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose We verified whether fetal RPE (fRPE) cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cotransplantation can combine the features of these two cell types and alleviate retinal degeneration in a retinal degenerative disease mouse model. Methods Tail vein injection of sodium iodate (NaIO3) was conducted to establish the retinal degenerative disease mouse model. MSCs and fRPE cells were transplanted either separately or combined in the subretinal space of retinal degenerative disease animals. ERG, optical coherence tomography, histologic, and immunofluorescence analyses were performed. Furthermore, the expression level of Crx, rhodopsin, Iba1, F4/80, Caspase 3, nerve growth factor, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were assessed to investigate the mechanisms involved in cell transplantation effects. Results Cotransplantation of fRPE and MSC cells promoted significant improvements in ERG results and in the survival rate of transplanted cells. In addition, MSC and fRPE cell cotransplantation resulted in an increase in the thickness of the total retina, as well as in the outer and inner nuclear layers. Combined transplantation also upregulated the expression level of Crx and rhodopsin and downregulated caspase 3 expression, highlighting its better photoreceptor rescue effect in relation to the single cell type transplantation. Finally, combined transplantation suppressed the expression of Iba1 and F4/80 factors while increasing the endogenous expression of nerve growth factor and brain-derived nerve growth factor neurotrophic factors. These data suggest that MSC and fRPE cell cotransplantation is able to suppress immunoreactions and promote neurotrophic factor excretion. Conclusions Combined transplantation of MSCs and fRPE cells results in a better retinal rescue effect than single cell type transplantation in NaIO3-induced retinopathy.
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Jemni-Damer N, Guedan-Duran A, Fuentes-Andion M, Serrano-Bengoechea N, Alfageme-Lopez N, Armada-Maresca F, Guinea GV, Perez-Rigueiro J, Rojo F, Gonzalez-Nieto D, Kaplan DL, Panetsos F. Biotechnology and Biomaterial-Based Therapeutic Strategies for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Part II: Cell and Tissue Engineering Therapies. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:588014. [PMID: 33363125 PMCID: PMC7758210 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.588014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is an up-to-date untreatable chronic neurodegenerative eye disease of multifactorial origin, and the main causes of blindness in over 65 y.o. people. It is characterized by a slow progression and the presence of a multitude of factors, highlighting those related to diet, genetic heritage and environmental conditions, present throughout each of the stages of the illness. Current therapeutic approaches, mainly consisting on intraocular drug delivery, are only used for symptoms relief and/or to decelerate the progression of the disease. Furthermore, they are overly simplistic and ignore the complexity of the disease and the enormous differences in the symptomatology between patients. Due to the wide impact of the AMD and the up-to-date absence of clinical solutions, Due to the wide impact of the AMD and the up-to-date absence of clinical solutions, different treatment options have to be considered. Cell therapy is a very promising alternative to drug-based approaches for AMD treatment. Cells delivered to the affected tissue as a suspension have shown poor retention and low survival rate. A solution to these inconveniences has been the encapsulation of these cells on biomaterials, which contrive to their protection, gives them support, and favor their retention of the desired area. We offer a two-papers critical review of the available and under development AMD therapeutic approaches, from a biomaterials and biotechnological point of view. We highlight benefits and limitations and we forecast forthcoming alternatives based on novel biomaterials and biotechnology methods. In this second part we review the preclinical and clinical cell-replacement approaches aiming at the development of efficient AMD-therapies, the employed cell types, as well as the cell-encapsulation and cell-implant systems. We discuss their advantages and disadvantages and how they could improve the survival and integration of the implanted cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahla Jemni-Damer
- Neuro-computing and Neuro-robotics Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Innovation Group, Institute for Health Research San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Atocha Guedan-Duran
- Neuro-computing and Neuro-robotics Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Innovation Group, Institute for Health Research San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
| | - María Fuentes-Andion
- Neuro-computing and Neuro-robotics Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Innovation Group, Institute for Health Research San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nora Serrano-Bengoechea
- Neuro-computing and Neuro-robotics Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Innovation Group, Institute for Health Research San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Silk Biomed SL, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Alfageme-Lopez
- Neuro-computing and Neuro-robotics Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Innovation Group, Institute for Health Research San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Silk Biomed SL, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Gustavo V. Guinea
- Silk Biomed SL, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Spain
- Department of Material Science, Civil Engineering Superior School, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Perez-Rigueiro
- Silk Biomed SL, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Spain
- Department of Material Science, Civil Engineering Superior School, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Rojo
- Silk Biomed SL, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Spain
- Department of Material Science, Civil Engineering Superior School, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Gonzalez-Nieto
- Silk Biomed SL, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Technology, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - David L. Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
| | - Fivos Panetsos
- Neuro-computing and Neuro-robotics Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Innovation Group, Institute for Health Research San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Silk Biomed SL, Madrid, Spain
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The Effects of Prolonged Storage on ARPE-19 Cells Stored at Three Different Storage Temperatures. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25245809. [PMID: 33317020 PMCID: PMC7763992 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25245809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate how prolonged storage of adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cell sheets affects cell metabolism, morphology, viability, and phenotype. ARPE-19 cell sheets were stored at three temperatures (4 °C, 16 °C, and 37 °C) for three weeks. Metabolic status and morphology of the cells were monitored by sampling medium and examining cells by phase-contrast microscopy, respectively, throughout the storage period. Cell viability was analyzed by flow cytometry, and phenotype was determined by epifluorescence microscopy after the storage. Lactate production and glucose consumption increased heavily, while pH dropped considerably, through storage at 37 °C compared to 4 °C and 16 °C. During storage, morphology started to deteriorate first at 4 °C, then at 37 °C, and was maintained the longest at 16 °C. Viability of the cells after three weeks of storage was best preserved at 16 °C, while cells stored at 4 °C and 37 °C had reduced viability. Dedifferentiation indicated by reduced expression of retinal pigment epithelium-specific protein 65 (RPE65), zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1), and occludin after three weeks of storage was noticed in all experimental groups compared to control. We conclude that storage temperature affects the metabolic status of ARPE-19 cells and that 16 °C reduces metabolic activity while protecting viability and morphology.
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Subramaniam MD, Iyer M, Nair AP, Venkatesan D, Mathavan S, Eruppakotte N, Kizhakkillach S, Chandran MK, Roy A, Gopalakrishnan AV, Vellingiri B. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial transfer: A new dimension towards ocular diseases. Genes Dis 2020; 9:610-637. [PMID: 35782976 PMCID: PMC9243399 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2020.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular cells like, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a highly specialized pigmented monolayer of post-mitotic cells, which is located in the posterior segment of the eye between neuro sensory retina and vascular choroid. It functions as a selective barrier and nourishes retinal visual cells. As a result of high-level oxygen consumption of retinal cells, RPE cells are vulnerable to chronic oxidative stress and an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from mitochondria. These oxidative stress and ROS generation in retinal cells lead to RPE degeneration. Various sources including mtDNA damage could be an important factor of oxidative stress in RPE. Gene therapy and mitochondrial transfer studies are emerging fields in ocular disease research. For retinal degenerative diseases stem cell-based transplantation methods are developed from basic research to preclinical and clinical trials. Translational research contributions of gene and cell therapy would be a new strategy to prevent, treat and cure various ocular diseases. This review focuses on the effect of oxidative stress in ocular cell degeneration and recent translational researches on retinal degenerative diseases to cure blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohana Devi Subramaniam
- SN ONGC Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai 600006, Tamil Nadu, India
- Corresponding author.
| | - Mahalaxmi Iyer
- SN ONGC Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai 600006, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore 641 043, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Aswathy P. Nair
- SN ONGC Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai 600006, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dhivya Venkatesan
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sinnakaruppan Mathavan
- SN ONGC Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai 600006, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Nimmisha Eruppakotte
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Soumya Kizhakkillach
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Manoj kumar Chandran
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ayan Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, Lovely Professional University, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 600127, India
| | - Balachandar Vellingiri
- Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641046, Tamil Nadu, India
- Corresponding author. Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell, Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamil Nadu, India.Fax: +91 422 2422387.
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O'Neill HC, Limnios IJ, Barnett NL. Advancing a Stem Cell Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 15:89-97. [PMID: 31854278 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x15666191218094020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a multifunctional monolayer located at the back of the eye required for the survival and function of the light-sensing photoreceptors. In Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the loss of RPE cells leads to photoreceptor death and permanent blindness. RPE cell transplantation aims to halt or reverse vision loss by preventing the death of photoreceptor cells and is considered one of the most viable applications of stem cell therapy in the field of regenerative medicine. Proof-of-concept of RPE cell transplantation for treating retinal degenerative disease, such as AMD, has long been established in animal models and humans using primary RPE cells, while recent research has focused on the transplantation of RPE cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). Early results from clinical trials indicate that transplantation of hPSC-derived RPE cells is safe and can improve vision in AMD patients. Current hPSC-RPE cell production protocols used in clinical trials are nevertheless inefficient. Treatment of large numbers of AMD patients using stem cellderived products may be dependent on the ability to generate functional cells from multiple hPSC lines using robust and clinically-compliant methods. Transplantation outcomes may be improved by delivering RPE cells on a thin porous membrane for better integration into the retina, and by manipulation of the outcome through control of immune rejection and inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen C O'Neill
- Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast 4229, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ioannis J Limnios
- Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast 4229, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nigel L Barnett
- Clem Jones Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast 4229, Queensland, Australia
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Han F, Lu P. Introduction for Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1266:1-8. [PMID: 33105491 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-4370-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a group of neurological diseases caused by the progressive degeneration of neurons and glial cells in the brain and spinal cords. Usually there is a selective loss of specific neuronal cells in a restricted brain area from any neurodegenerative diseases, such as dopamine (DA) neuron death in Parkinson disease (PD) and motor neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or a widespread degeneration affecting many types of neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD). As there is no effective treatment to stop the progression of these neurodegenerative diseases, stem cell-based therapies have provided great potentials for these disorders. Currently transplantation of different stem cells or their derivatives has improved neural function in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases by replacing the lost neural cells, releasing cytokines, modulation of inflammation, and mediating remyelination. With the advance in somatic cell reprogramming to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and directly induced neural stem cells or neurons, pluripotent stem cell can be induced to differentiate to any kind of neural cells and overcome the immune rejection of the allogeneic transplantation. Recent studies have proved the effectiveness of transplanted stem cells in animal studies and some clinical trials on patients with NDs. However, some significant hurdles need to be resolved before these preclinical results can be translated to clinic. In particular, we need to better understand the molecular mechanisms of stem cell transplantation and develop new approaches to increase the directed neural differentiation, migration, survival, and functional connections of transplanted stem cells in the pathological environment of the patient's central nerve system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabin Han
- The Institute for Translational Medicine, Shandong University/Affiliated Second Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China. .,The Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Liaocheng University/Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China.
| | - Paul Lu
- Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Neurosciences, University of California - San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Ikelle L, Al-Ubaidi MR, Naash MI. Pluripotent Stem Cells for the Treatment of Retinal Degeneration: Current Strategies and Future Directions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:743. [PMID: 32923439 PMCID: PMC7457054 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cells have been part of the biomedical landscape since the early 1960s. However, the translation of stem cells to effective therapeutics have met significant challenges, especially for retinal diseases. The retina is a delicate and complex architecture of interconnected cells that are steadfastly interdependent. Degenerative mechanisms caused by acquired or inherited diseases disrupt this interconnectivity, devastating the retina and causing severe vision loss in many patients. Consequently, retinal differentiation of exogenous and endogenous stem cells is currently being explored as replacement therapies in the debilitating diseases. In this review, we will examine the mechanisms involved in exogenous stem cells differentiation and the challenges of effective integration to the host retina. Furthermore, we will explore the current advancements in trans-differentiation of endogenous stem cells, primarily Müller glia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Ikelle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Muayyad R Al-Ubaidi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Muna I Naash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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Zhang X, Li S, Tang Y, Guo Y, Gao S. Intractable Ocular Diseases and Treatment Progress. AAPS PharmSciTech 2020; 21:236. [PMID: 32803351 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-020-01774-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, with the aging of the population and the frequent use of electronic devices, many eye diseases have shown a linear upward trend, such as dry eye disease, glaucoma, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. These diseases are often chronic and difficult to cure. Based on the structure and barrier of the human eye, this review describes the pathogenesis and treatments of several intractable eye diseases and summarizes the advanced ocular drug delivery systems to provide new treatment ideas for these diseases. Finally, we also look forward to the prospect of RNAi therapy in the treatment of eye diseases.
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