Abstract
BackgroundStem cell transplantation has been reported as one of the promising strategies to treat retinal degenerative diseases. But, the application and the role of retina stem cells (RSCs) in the treatment of patients with retinal degenerative diseases have not been fully revealed. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of transplantation of the embryo-derived RSCs into the vitreous cavity in repairing the damaged retina in mice.MethodsRSCs were isolated from Kunming mice E17 embryonic retina and ciliary body tissues, and labeled with 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridin (BrdU). Retinal optic nerve crush injury was induced in left eyes in male Kunming mice by ring clamping the optic nerve. The 6th -generation of BrdU-labeled RSCs were transplanted into the damaged retina by the intravitreal injection, and saline injected eyes were used as the control. Hematoxylin and eosin histological staining, and BrdU, Nestin and Pax6 immunostaining were performed. Electroretinogram (ERG) was used for assessing the electrical activity of the retina.ResultsEmbryo-derived RSCs were identified by the positive stains of Pax6 and Nestin. BrdU incorporation was detected in the majority of RSCs. The damaged retina showed cellular nuclear disintegration and fragmentation in the retinal tissue which progressed over the periods of clamping time, and decreased amplitudes of a and b waves in ERG. In the damaged retina with RSCs transplantation, the positive staining for BrdU, Pax6 and Nestin were revealed on the retinal surface. Notably, RSCs migrated into the retinal ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear. Transplanted RSCs significantly elevated the amplitudes of a waves in retina injured eyes.ConclusionsEmbryonic RSCs have similar characteristics to neural stem cells. Transplantation of RSCs by intravitreal injection would be able to repair the damaged retina.
Highlights
Stem cell transplantation has been reported as one of the promising strategies to treat retinal degenerative diseases
We found that embryo-derived retina stem cells (RSCs) have similar characteristics to neural stem cells (NSCs), which were evidenced by the presence of Pax6 and Nestin expressions
After extending to the sixth generation, the cells grew well, and round cells increased obviously (Fig. 2c). This indicated that the cultured cells possessed the morphological characteristics of RSCs
Summary
Stem cell transplantation has been reported as one of the promising strategies to treat retinal degenerative diseases. The application and the role of retina stem cells (RSCs) in the treatment of patients with retinal degenerative diseases have not been fully revealed. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of transplantation of the embryo-derived RSCs into the vitreous cavity in repairing the damaged retina in mice. Dysfunctions or death of RPE cells can induce loss of PRs, leading to damage of vision and in some cases causing blindness. It has been shown that stem cells are becoming an attractive source of cell therapy in replacing or repairing damaged RPE and PRs [4]. Retinal stem cell therapy is one of the promising therapeutic alternatives to recover vision in patients with retinal disease [2, 5]
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