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Okruszko MA, Szabłowski M, Zarzecki M, Michnowska-Kobylińska M, Lisowski Ł, Łapińska M, Stachurska Z, Szpakowicz A, Kamiński KA, Konopińska J. Inflammation and Neurodegeneration in Glaucoma: Isolated Eye Disease or a Part of a Systemic Disorder? - Serum Proteomic Analysis. J Inflamm Res 2024; 17:1021-1037. [PMID: 38370463 PMCID: PMC10874189 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s434989] [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: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glaucoma is the most common optic neuropathy and the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, which affects 3.54% of the population aged 40-80 years. Despite numerous published studies, some aspects of glaucoma pathogenesis, serum biomarkers, and their potential link with other diseases remain unclear. Recent articles have proposed that autoimmune, oxidative stress and inflammation may be involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Methods We investigated the serum expression of 92 inflammatory and neurotrophic factors in glaucoma patients. The study group consisted of 26 glaucoma patients and 192 healthy subjects based on digital fundography. Results Patients with glaucoma had significantly lower serum expression of IL-2Rβ, TWEAK, CX3CL1, CD6, CD5, LAP TGF-beta1, LIF-R, TRAIL, NT-3, and CCL23 and significantly higher expression of IL-22Rα1. Conclusion Our results indicate that patients with glaucoma tend to have lower levels of neuroprotective proteins and higher levels of neuroinflammatory proteins, similar to those observed in psychiatric, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, indicating a potential link between these conditions and glaucoma pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maciej Szabłowski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, 15-089, Poland
| | - Mateusz Zarzecki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, 15-089, Poland
| | | | - Łukasz Lisowski
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, 15-089, Poland
| | - Magda Łapińska
- Department of Population Medicine and Lifestyle Diseases Prevention, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Zofia Stachurska
- Department of Population Medicine and Lifestyle Diseases Prevention, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Anna Szpakowicz
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Karol Adam Kamiński
- Department of Population Medicine and Lifestyle Diseases Prevention, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Joanna Konopińska
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, 15-089, Poland
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Wu KY, Tan K, Akbar D, Choulakian MY, Tran SD. A New Era in Ocular Therapeutics: Advanced Drug Delivery Systems for Uveitis and Neuro-Ophthalmologic Conditions. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1952. [PMID: 37514137 PMCID: PMC10385446 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071952] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The eye's intricate anatomical barriers pose significant challenges to the penetration, residence time, and bioavailability of topically applied medications, particularly in managing uveitis and neuro-ophthalmologic conditions. Addressing this issue, polymeric nano-based drug delivery systems (DDS) have surfaced as a promising solution. These systems enhance drug bioavailability in hard-to-reach target tissues, extend residence time within ocular tissues, and utilize biodegradable and nanosized polymers to reduce undesirable side effects. Thus, they have stimulated substantial interest in crafting innovative treatments for uveitis and neuro-ophthalmologic diseases. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of polymeric nano-based DDS used for managing these conditions. We discuss the present therapeutic hurdles posed by these diseases and explore the potential role of various biopolymers in broadening our treatment repertoire. Our study incorporates a detailed literature review of preclinical and clinical studies from 2017 to 2023. Owing to advancements in polymer science, ocular DDS has made rapid strides, showing tremendous potential to revolutionize the treatment of patients with uveitis and neuro-ophthalmologic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Y Wu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Kenneth Tan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Dania Akbar
- Department of Human Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Mazen Y Choulakian
- Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Simon D Tran
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
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Benhar I, Ding J, Yan W, Whitney IE, Jacobi A, Sud M, Burgin G, Shekhar K, Tran NM, Wang C, He Z, Sanes JR, Regev A. Temporal single-cell atlas of non-neuronal retinal cells reveals dynamic, coordinated multicellular responses to central nervous system injury. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:700-713. [PMID: 36807640 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01437-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Non-neuronal cells are key to the complex cellular interplay that follows central nervous system insult. To understand this interplay, we generated a single-cell atlas of immune, glial and retinal pigment epithelial cells from adult mouse retina before and at multiple time points after axonal transection. We identified rare subsets in naive retina, including interferon (IFN)-response glia and border-associated macrophages, and delineated injury-induced changes in cell composition, expression programs and interactions. Computational analysis charted a three-phase multicellular inflammatory cascade after injury. In the early phase, retinal macroglia and microglia were reactivated, providing chemotactic signals concurrent with infiltration of CCR2+ monocytes from the circulation. These cells differentiated into macrophages in the intermediate phase, while an IFN-response program, likely driven by microglia-derived type I IFN, was activated across resident glia. The late phase indicated inflammatory resolution. Our findings provide a framework to decipher cellular circuitry, spatial relationships and molecular interactions following tissue injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inbal Benhar
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Systems Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Jiarui Ding
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wenjun Yan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Irene E Whitney
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anne Jacobi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Malika Sud
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Grace Burgin
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Karthik Shekhar
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas M Tran
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chen Wang
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhigang He
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua R Sanes
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aviv Regev
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Song DJ, Bao XL, Fan B, Li GY. Mechanism of Cone Degeneration in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:1037-1048. [PMID: 35792991 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01243-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetic disorders resulting in inherited blindness due to the degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors. The various mechanisms underlying rod degeneration primarily rely on genetic mutations, leading to night blindness initially. Cones gradually degenerate after rods are almost eliminated, resulting in varying degrees of visual disability and blindness. The mechanism of cone degeneration remains unclear. An understanding of the mechanisms underlying cone degeneration in RP, a highly heterogeneous disease, is essential to develop novel treatments of RP. Herein, we review recent advancements in the five hypotheses of cone degeneration, including oxidative stress, trophic factors, metabolic stress, light damage, and inflammation activation. We also discuss the connection among these theories to provide a better understanding of secondary cone degeneration in RP. Five current mechanisms of cone degenerations in RP Interactions among different pathways are involved in RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Juan Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Xiao-Li Bao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Bin Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Guang-Yu Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China.
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Wu KY, Ashkar S, Jain S, Marchand M, Tran SD. Breaking Barriers in Eye Treatment: Polymeric Nano-Based Drug-Delivery System for Anterior Segment Diseases and Glaucoma. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15061373. [PMID: 36987154 PMCID: PMC10054733 DOI: 10.3390/polym15061373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The eye has anatomical structures that function as robust static and dynamic barriers, limiting the penetration, residence time, and bioavailability of medications administered topically. The development of polymeric nano-based drug-delivery systems (DDS) could be the solution to these challenges: it can pass through ocular barriers, offering higher bioavailability of administered drugs to targeted tissues that are otherwise inaccessible; it can stay in ocular tissues for longer periods of time, requiring fewer drug administrations; and it can be made up of polymers that are biodegradable and nano-sized, minimizing the undesirable effects of the administered molecules. Therefore, therapeutic innovations in polymeric nano-based DDS have been widely explored for ophthalmic drug-delivery applications. In this review, we will give a comprehensive overview of polymeric nano-based drug-delivery systems (DDS) used in the treatment of ocular diseases. We will then examine the current therapeutic challenges of various ocular diseases and analyze how different types of biopolymers can potentially enhance our therapeutic options. A literature review of the preclinical and clinical studies published between 2017 and 2022 was conducted. Thanks to the advances in polymer science, the ocular DDS has rapidly evolved, showing great promise to help clinicians better manage patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Y. Wu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada; (K.Y.W.)
| | - Said Ashkar
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Shrieda Jain
- Department of Experimental Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
| | - Michael Marchand
- Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada; (K.Y.W.)
| | - Simon D. Tran
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Wu KY, Kulbay M, Toameh D, Xu AQ, Kalevar A, Tran SD. Retinitis Pigmentosa: Novel Therapeutic Targets and Drug Development. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:685. [PMID: 36840007 PMCID: PMC9963330 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of hereditary diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of retinal photoreceptors leading to progressive visual decline. It is the most common type of inherited retinal dystrophy and has a high burden on both patients and society. This condition causes gradual loss of vision, with its typical manifestations including nyctalopia, concentric visual field loss, and ultimately bilateral central vision loss. It is one of the leading causes of visual disability and blindness in people under 60 years old and affects over 1.5 million people worldwide. There is currently no curative treatment for people with RP, and only a small group of patients with confirmed RPE65 mutations are eligible to receive the only gene therapy on the market: voretigene neparvovec. The current therapeutic armamentarium is limited to retinoids, vitamin A supplements, protection from sunlight, visual aids, and medical and surgical interventions to treat ophthalmic comorbidities, which only aim to slow down the progression of the disease. Considering such a limited therapeutic landscape, there is an urgent need for developing new and individualized therapeutic modalities targeting retinal degeneration. Although the heterogeneity of gene mutations involved in RP makes its target treatment development difficult, recent fundamental studies showed promising progress in elucidation of the photoreceptor degeneration mechanism. The discovery of novel molecule therapeutics that can selectively target specific receptors or specific pathways will serve as a solid foundation for advanced drug development. This article is a review of recent progress in novel treatment of RP focusing on preclinical stage fundamental research on molecular targets, which will serve as a starting point for advanced drug development. We will review the alterations in the molecular pathways involved in the development of RP, mainly those regarding endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptotic pathways, maintenance of the redox balance, and genomic stability. We will then discuss the therapeutic approaches under development, such as gene and cell therapy, as well as the recent literature identifying novel potential drug targets for RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Y. Wu
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Merve Kulbay
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Dana Toameh
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 2M1, Canada
| | - An Qi Xu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Ananda Kalevar
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 2E8, Canada
| | - Simon D. Tran
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1G1, Canada
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7
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Rankouhi TR, Keulen DV, Tempel D, Venhorst J. Oncostatin M: Risks and Benefits of a Novel Therapeutic Target for Atherosclerosis. Curr Drug Targets 2022; 23:1345-1369. [PMID: 35959619 DOI: 10.2174/1389450123666220811101032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. It is predicted that approximately 23.6 million people will die from CVDs annually by 2030. Therefore, there is a great need for an effective therapeutic approach to combat this disease. The European Cardiovascular Target Discovery (CarTarDis) consortium identified Oncostatin M (OSM) as a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis. The benefits of modulating OSM - an interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokine - have since been studied for multiple indications. However, as decades of high attrition rates have stressed, the success of a drug target is determined by the fine balance between benefits and the risk of adverse events. Safety issues should therefore not be overlooked. OBJECTIVE In this review, a risk/benefit analysis is performed on OSM inhibition in the context of atherosclerosis treatment. First, OSM signaling characteristics and its role in atherosclerosis are described. Next, an overview of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical findings relating to both the benefits and risks of modulating OSM in major organ systems is provided. Based on OSM's biological function and expression profile as well as drug intervention studies, safety concerns of inhibiting this target have been identified, assessed, and ranked for the target population. CONCLUSION While OSM may be of therapeutic value in atherosclerosis, drug development should also focus on de-risking the herein identified major safety concerns: tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, bleeding, anemia, and NMDA- and glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Close monitoring and/or exclusion of patients with various comorbidities may be required for optimal therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Rouhani Rankouhi
- Department of Risk Analysis for Products in Development, TNO, Utrechtseweg 48, 3704 HE, Zeist, The Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle van Keulen
- SkylineDx BV, Science and Clinical Development, 3062 ME Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dennie Tempel
- SkylineDx BV, Science and Clinical Development, 3062 ME Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Venhorst
- Department of Risk Analysis for Products in Development, TNO, Utrechtseweg 48, 3704 HE, Zeist, The Netherlands
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Shityakov S, Nagai M, Ergün S, Braunger BM, Förster CY. The Protective Effects of Neurotrophins and MicroRNA in Diabetic Retinopathy, Nephropathy and Heart Failure via Regulating Endothelial Function. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12081113. [PMID: 36009007 PMCID: PMC9405668 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a common disease affecting more than 537 million adults worldwide. The microvascular complications that occur during the course of the disease are widespread and affect a variety of organ systems in the body. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common long-term complications, which include, amongst others, endothelial dysfunction, and thus, alterations in the blood-retinal barrier (BRB). This particularly restrictive physiological barrier is important for maintaining the neuroretina as a privileged site in the body by controlling the inflow and outflow of fluid, nutrients, metabolic end products, ions, and proteins. In addition, people with diabetic retinopathy (DR) have been shown to be at increased risk for systemic vascular complications, including subclinical and clinical stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and nephropathy. DR is, therefore, considered an independent predictor of heart failure. In the present review, the effects of diabetes on the retina, heart, and kidneys are described. In addition, a putative common microRNA signature in diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and heart failure is discussed, which may be used in the future as a biomarker to better monitor disease progression. Finally, the use of miRNA, targeted neurotrophin delivery, and nanoparticles as novel therapeutic strategies is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Shityakov
- Division of Chemoinformatics, Infochemistry Scientific Center, Lomonosova Street 9, 191002 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Michiaki Nagai
- Department of Cardiology, Hiroshima City Asa Hospital, 2-1-1 Kabeminami, Aaskita-ku, Hiroshima 731-0293, Japan
| | - Süleyman Ergün
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara M. Braunger
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (B.M.B.); (C.Y.F.)
| | - Carola Y. Förster
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, Würzburg University, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (B.M.B.); (C.Y.F.)
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9
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Thomas BB, Lin B, Martinez-Camarillo JC, Zhu D, McLelland BT, Nistor G, Keirstead HS, Humayun MS, Seiler MJ. Co-grafts of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Retina Organoids and Retinal Pigment Epithelium for Retinal Reconstruction in Immunodeficient Retinal Degenerate Royal College of Surgeons Rats. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:752958. [PMID: 34764853 PMCID: PMC8576198 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.752958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
End-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are two major retinal degenerative (RD) conditions that result in irreversible vision loss. Permanent eye damage can also occur in battlefields or due to accidents. This suggests there is an unmet need for developing effective strategies for treating permanent retinal damages. In previous studies, co-grafted sheets of fetal retina with its retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) have demonstrated vision improvement in rat retinal disease models and in patients, but this has not yet been attempted with stem-cell derived tissue. Here we demonstrate a cellular therapy for irreversible retinal eye injuries using a "total retina patch" consisting of retinal photoreceptor progenitor sheets and healthy RPE cells on an artificial Bruch's membrane (BM). For this, retina organoids (ROs) (cultured in suspension) and polarized RPE sheets (cultured on an ultrathin parylene substrate) were made into a co-graft using bio-adhesives [gelatin, growth factor-reduced matrigel, and medium viscosity (MVG) alginate]. In vivo transplantation experiments were conducted in immunodeficient Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats at advanced stages of retinal degeneration. Structural reconstruction of the severely damaged retina was observed based on histological assessments and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Visual functional assessments were conducted by optokinetic behavioral testing and superior colliculus electrophysiology. Long-term survival of the co-graft in the rat subretinal space and improvement in visual function were observed. Immunohistochemistry showed that co-grafts grew, generated new photoreceptors and developed neuronal processes that were integrated into the host retina. This novel approach can be considered as a new therapy for complete replacement of a degenerated retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biju B. Thomas
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Bin Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Juan Carlos Martinez-Camarillo
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Danhong Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Bryce T. McLelland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Mark S. Humayun
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- USC Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Magdalene J. Seiler
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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