Synergistic effect of mesenchymal stem cells and silver nanoparticles in the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases

Abstract

Aims/Purpose: Retinal degenerative diseases represent one of the leading causes of visual loss. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide potential option for the treatment of several type of pathologies, including ocular diseases. Moreover, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are currently widely used in various fields of medicine mainly due to their antibacterial and antiangiogenic properties. Several studies showed their beneficial but also harmful effect. However, there are limited information about the synergistic effect of AgNPs with MSC‐based therapies.Methods: Chronical retinal degeneration was induced in BALB/c mice by repeated intraperitoneal application of sodium iodate (NaIO3). MSCs, AgNPs or MSCs plus AgNPs were intravitreally injected 48 h before the last application of NaIO3. Retinas were isolated after additional 7 days and tested by RT‐PCR for the expression of genes for rhodopsin (photoreceptors), Iba‐1 (microglia/macrophages), IL‐1β and galectin‐3. The presence of MSCs stained with PKH‐26 was analysed by flow cytometry.Results: It was shown that MSCs and MSCs applied with AgNPs were still present in the retina on day 7 after application. In all treated groups, the expression of the gene for galectin‐3 was decreased in contrast to untreated control. However, co‐application of MSCs with AgNPs had limited effect on downregulation of Iba‐1 and IL‐1β in contrast to MSCs or AgNPs treated group.Conclusions: The application of MSCs and AgNPs modulated immune response in chronical retinal degeneration but co‐application of MSCs with AgNPs decreased immunoregulatory effects comparted with single‐component therapy. Thus, there is a need for more investigation focusing on potential changes in MSCs applied with AgNPs.