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Rizzo S, Savastano MC, Falsini B, Bernardinelli P, Boselli F, De Vico U, Carlà MM, Giannuzzi F, Fossataro C, Gambini G, Crincoli E, Ferrara S, Ripa M, Killian R, Rizzo C, Valentini CG, Orlando N, Placidi G, Teofili L, Savastano A. Safety Results for Geographic Atrophy Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Subretinal Cord Blood Platelet-Rich Plasma. OPHTHALMOLOGY SCIENCE 2024; 4:100476. [PMID: 39149709 PMCID: PMC11325229 DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2024.100476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the safety of subretinal injection of cord blood platelet-rich plasma (CB-PRP) and its possible effect in eyes affected by geographic atrophy (GA) associated with dry age-related macular degeneration (d-AMD). Design Interventional, open-label study started in January 2021 with follow-up at 12 months (the Si.Cord Study). This study was a single-center, nonrandomized, sequential-assigned clinical trial conducted in Rome, Italy, at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04636853). Participants Thirteen patients (26 eyes) with bilateral d-AMD-related GA were enrolled. One eye from each patient (with more advanced GA) underwent CB-PRP treatment, and the fellow eye was considered the control. All patients participated in follow-up at 12 months. Intervention All 13 eyes received 23-gauge (G) vitrectomy and subretinal injection of CB-PRP using a 41-gauge needle. Main Outcomes and Measures Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with ETDRS letters, central macular thickness using OCT, and atrophic area measured on en face OCT images were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results The BCVA in the treated group was 34.46 ± 20.8 ETDRS at baseline, 40.84 ± 20.52 at 1 month, 40.07 ± 20.34 at 3 months, 39.38 ± 19.84 at 6 months, and 35.84 ± 18.38 at 12 months. In the untreated group, the BCVA was 53 ± 21.1 ETDRS letters at baseline, 51.54 ± 20.99 at 1 month, 46.62 ± 19.47 at 3 months, 46.85 ± 18.58 at 6 months, and 43.92 ± 17.97 at 12 months (2-way analysis of variance: interaction of treatment by eye or time, P = 0.084). Central macular thickness did not show a significant intereye difference at 12 months (P = 0.97). The atrophic geographic areas tended to increase in both treated and fellow eyes at 12 months (P < 0.0001). No inflammatory reaction, endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, uveitis, or other complications due to the subretinal injection of CB-PRP were observed during the follow-up. Conclusions Subretinal injection of CB-PRP could be safely used for d-AMD in its GA form. Despite its safety, a larger cohort of patients, and probably a new way of administration, will be needed to understand whether the CB-PRP could have a role in the GA treatment. Financial Disclosures Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislao Rizzo
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Catholic University "Sacro Cuore", Rome, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Neuroscienze, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Savastano
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Catholic University "Sacro Cuore", Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Umberto De Vico
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Gloria Gambini
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Crincoli
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal del Crèteil, France
| | - Silvia Ferrara
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Ripa
- Department of Ophthalmology, William Harvey Hospital, East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, Ashford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Clara Rizzo
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Caterina Giovanna Valentini
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Oncological Radiotherapy and Hematology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Orlando
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Oncological Radiotherapy and Hematology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Placidi
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luciana Teofili
- Catholic University "Sacro Cuore", Rome, Italy
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Oncological Radiotherapy and Hematology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfonso Savastano
- Ophthalmology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Catholic University "Sacro Cuore", Rome, Italy
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Astolfi G, Ciavarella C, Valente S, Coslovi C, Iannetta D, Fontana L, Pasquinelli G, Versura P. Human glial müller and umbilical vein endothelial cell coculture as an in vitro model to investigate retinal oxidative damage. A morphological and molecular assessment. Microsc Res Tech 2023; 86:439-451. [PMID: 36579625 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24284] [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: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to optimize a coculture in vitro model established between the human Müller glial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, mimicking the inner blood-retinal barrier, and to explore its resistance to damage induced by oxidative stress. A spontaneously immortalized human Müller cell line MIO-M1 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were plated together at a density ratio 1:1 and maintained up to the 8th passage (p8). The MIO-M1/HUVECs p1 through p8 were treated with increasing concentrations (range 200-800 μM) of H2 O2 to evaluate oxidative stress induced damage and comparing data with single cell cultures. The following features were assayed p1 through p8: doubling time maintenance, cell viability using MTS assay, ultrastructure of cell-cell contacts, immunofluorescence for Vimentin and GFAP, molecular biology (q-PCR) for GFAP and CD31 mRNA. MIO-M1/HUVECs cocultures maintained distinct cell cytotype up to p8 as shown by flow cytometry analysis, without evidence of cross activation, displaying cell-cell tight junctions mimicking those found in human retina, only acquiring a slight resistance to oxidative stress induction over the passages. This MIO-M1/HUVECs coculture represents a simple, reproducible and affordable model for in vitro studies on oxidative stress-induced retinal damages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Astolfi
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Ciavarella
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Sabrina Valente
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Coslovi
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Danilo Iannetta
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Luigi Fontana
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Pasquinelli
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
| | - Piera Versura
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Italy
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Valente S, Ciavarella C, Astolfi G, Bergantin E, Curti N, Buzzi M, Fontana L, Versura P. Impact of Freeze-Drying on Cord Blood (CB), Serum (S), and Platelet-Rich Plasma (CB-PRP) Preparations on Growth Factor Content and In Vitro Cell Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810701. [PMID: 36142617 PMCID: PMC9503903 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood-based preparations are used in clinical practice for the treatment of several eye disorders. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of freeze-drying blood-based preparations on the levels of growth factors and wound healing behaviors in an in vitro model. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and serum (S) preparations from the same Cord Blood (CB) sample, prepared in both fresh frozen (FF) and freeze-dried (FD) forms (and then reconstituted), were analyzed for EGF and BDNF content (ELISA Quantikine kit). The human MIO-M1 glial cell line (Moorfield/Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK) was incubated with FF and FD products and evaluated for cell migration with scratch-induced wounding (IncuCyte S3 Essen BioScience), proliferation with cyclin A2 and D1 gene expression, and activation with vimentin and GFAP gene expression. The FF and FD forms showed similar concentrations of EGF and BDNF in both the S and PRP preparations. The wound healing assay showed no significant difference between the FF and FD forms for both S and PRP. Additionally, cell migration, proliferation, and activation did not appear to change in the FD forms compared to the FF ones. Our study showed that reconstituted FD products maintained the growth factor concentrations and biological properties of FF products and could be used as a functional treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Valente
- DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (C.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Carmen Ciavarella
- DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (S.V.); (C.C.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Gloria Astolfi
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Elisa Bergantin
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (E.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Nico Curti
- eDIMES Lab, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Marina Buzzi
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (E.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Luigi Fontana
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (E.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Piera Versura
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
- Ophthalmology Unit, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (E.B.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence:
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Shao Z, Chwa M, Atilano SR, Park J, Karageozian H, Karageozian V, Kenney MC. The Transcriptome Profile of Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Müller Cell Lines Protected by Risuteganib Against Hydrogen Peroxide Stress. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2022; 38:513-526. [PMID: 35731128 PMCID: PMC9508878 DOI: 10.1089/jop.2022.0015] [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] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of vision-impairing diseases. In the retina, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller cells support neuronal homeostasis, but also contribute to pathological development under stressed conditions. Recent studies found that the investigational drug risuteganib (RSG) has a good safety profile, provided protection in experimental models, and improved visual acuity in patients. The present in vitro study evaluated the effects of RSG in RPE and Müller cell lines stressed with the oxidant hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Methods: Human RPE (ARPE-19) and Müller (MIO-M1) cell lines were treated with various combinations of RSG and H2O2. Trypan blue assay was used to investigate the effect of compounds on cell viability. Gene expression was measured using RNA sequencing to identify regulated genes and the biological processes and pathways involved. Results: Trypan blue assay found RSG pre-treatment significantly protected against H2O2-induced cell death in ARPE-19 and MIO-M1 cells. Transcriptome analysis found H2O2 regulated genes in several disease-relevant biological processes, including cell adhesion, migration, death, and proliferation; ECM organization; angiogenesis; metabolism; and immune system processes. RSG pre-treatment modulated these gene expression profiles in the opposite direction of H2O2. Pathway analysis found genes in integrin, AP-1, and syndecan signaling pathways were regulated. Expression of selected RSG-regulated genes was validated using qRT-PCR. Conclusions: RSG protected cultured human RPE and Müller cell lines against H2O2-induced cell death and mitigated the associated transcriptome changes in biological processes and pathways relevant to the pathogenesis of retinal diseases. These results demonstrate RSG reduced oxidative stress-induced toxicity in two retinal cell lines with potential relevance to the treatment of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Shao
- Allegro Ophthalmics, LLC, San Juan Capistrano, California, USA
| | - Marilyn Chwa
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Shari R Atilano
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - John Park
- Allegro Ophthalmics, LLC, San Juan Capistrano, California, USA
| | | | | | - M Cristina Kenney
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
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Li B, Ning B, Yang F, Guo C. Nerve Growth Factor Promotes Retinal Neurovascular Unit Repair: A Review. Curr Eye Res 2022; 47:1095-1105. [PMID: 35499266 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2022.2055084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the imbalance of neurogenic factor (NGF) and its precursor (pro-NGF) mediates structural and functional impairment of retinal neurovascular unit (RNVU) that plays a role in retinal degenerative diseases.Methods: A literature search of electronic databases was performed.Results: The pro-apoptotic effect of pro-NGF and the pro-growth effect of NGF are essential for the pathological and physiological activities of RNVU. Studies show that NGF-based treatment of retinal degenerative diseases, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy, has achieved remarkable efficacy.Conclusions: RNVU plays a complex and multifaceted role in retinal degenerative diseases. The exploration of the differential signaling expression of proNGF-NGF homeostasis under physiological and pathological conditions, and the corresponding pathological processes induced by its regulation, has prompted us to focus on earlier retinal neuroprotective therapeutic strategies to prevent retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohua Li
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, PR China
| | - Bobiao Ning
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, PR China
| | - Fan Yang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, PR China
| | - Chengwei Guo
- The First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, PR China
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Harnessing Astrocytes and Müller Glial Cells in the Retina for Survival and Regeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061339. [PMID: 34071545 PMCID: PMC8229010 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes have been associated with the failure of axon regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS), as it undergoes reactive gliosis in response to damages to the CNS and functions as a chemical and physical barrier to axon regeneration. However, beneficial roles of astrocytes have been extensively studied in the spinal cord over the years, and a growing body of evidence now suggests that inducing astrocytes to become more growth-supportive can promote axon regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). In retina, astrocytes and Müller cells are known to undergo reactive gliosis after damage to retina and/or optic nerve and are hypothesized to be either detrimental or beneficial to survival and axon regeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Whether they can be induced to become more growth-supportive after retinal and optic nerve injury has yet to be determined. In this review, we pinpoint the potential molecular pathways involved in the induction of growth-supportive astrocytes in the spinal cord and suggest that stimulating the activation of these pathways in the retina could represent a new therapeutic approach to promoting survival and axon regeneration of RGCs in retinal degenerative diseases.
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