We wish to thank Alison Dorsey for helping to develop the subretinal injection technique. We also acknowledge the National Eye Institute (NEI grants EY11254 and EY021416), California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM grant TR1-01219), and the Lowy Medical Research Institute (LMRI) for very generous funding for this project.

注：すべての動物は、スクリップス研究所によって確立倫理指針に従って処理した。 注射用材料の作製（〜20分） <ol style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>前加温細胞解離溶液（好ましくは血清を、希釈によって不活性化されているもの）、滅菌PBS、および培養培地（ 表1）。 </li><li>それを分解し、15分間水で部品を沸騰させることによりブラントニードル付きシリンジを殺菌する。 </li></ol>注射用RPE細胞の調製（1時間に約30分） <ol style="margin-left: 40px;"><li> 37℃で5-8分間予め温め細胞解離溶液を使用してRPE細胞を切り離す。 </li><li>まだ接続されているものを解放するために静かに細胞をこすり。 </li><li>解離溶液を不活性化し、それらをカウントする（15mlチューブを埋める）培地の大容量で細胞を希釈する。 </li><li>細胞をペレットに5分間800×gで遠心分離する。 </li><li>無菌予め温めPBSに（0.5μlのボリュームに100,000細胞を提供するために）/μL200,000細胞で細胞を​​再懸濁し、1.5 mlのマイクロ遠心チューブにそれらを転送する。 </li><li>必要に応じて、生細胞一過性の蛍光マーカーを追加し、30〜45分間37℃でインキュベートする。 </li><li>細胞の0.5μlの鈍針で注射器をロードします。できるだけ早く細胞を注入する。 </li></ol> 3.網膜下注射（注射当たり〜5分） 注：可能であれば、輪部の血管が視覚化する方がはるかに簡単であるため、大人のアルビノラットとテクニックを学ぶ。より簡単に注射部位の視覚化を容易にするために、（細胞を注入しようとする前に）学習するときにファストグリーンソリューションを注入。 <ol style="margin-left: 40px;"><li>齧歯類を麻酔。 100 mg / mlのケタミンおよび10mg / mlのキシラジンの腹腔内注射（20μL/ 10グラムボディWを使用して、イソフルラン吸入以上8個）が、げっ歯類を操縦し、吸入器で鼻と眼の中に注入することが困難であるため。 <ol><li>動物が深く、その足の1をつまんで麻酔をかけていることを確認します。それはフリンチ行動する場合は、さらに数分待ってから網膜下注射を開始する前に、再試行してください。 </li></ol></li><li>注入されます目を天井に直面しているように、その側に齧歯類を配置します。 </li><li>目がソケット（一時的な眼球突出）からわずかに浮き上がるとちょうど耳の上とその顎によると優しくまぶたに皮膚と平行に伸びる2本の指で頭を保持することで、よりアクセス可能になるように解剖顕微鏡下で優しく肌を伸ばす目が（ 図1Cを参照してください）わずかにソケットから飛び出して外れるようにします。喉に近すぎる齧歯類を把握しないでください。 </li><li> 30 Gシャープ使い捨て滅菌済み注射針を使用すると、血管がヒットしている場合は、出血をbします（すぐに輪部の下に穴を作る重要なメールと、後で穴を見つけることは困難である）との角度で針（ 図1D）でレンズに触れないように。発生するシャープ（または鈍い）針または即時白内障形成のレンズに触れないようにしてください。 注：注射は2人とのより良い仕事。このように1人は、彼らが穴がどこに焦点を維持するために、鋭利な使い捨て針で最初の穴を作成した後に注入を行う人に鈍い針で注射器を渡すことができます。 </li><li>頭の上にグリップを維持しながら、眼から使い捨て鋭い針を撤回。穴がある場所を正確に覚えておいてください。 </li><li>マイクロマニピュレータに鈍い針で事前にロードされた注射器を取り付けたり、手でそれを保持しているいずれかの後、穴を介して鈍針で注射器の先端を挿入し、レンズに触れないように再び注意しながら、静かに目を通してそれをプッシュするとても優しく感じ抵抗（ 図1D）まで、。 </li><li> K最小限にすべての動きをeeping、慎重にゆっくりと網膜下腔へのRPE細胞を注入する。 注：RPE /網膜剥離が誘発されます。これは避けられない。しかし、クリーナー注入は剥離を最小限に抑え、大幅に再付着（ 図1E）の可能性を向上させます。任意の誇張された動きが戻って網膜に針を移動させることができる、と横の動きが網膜を損傷することがあります。噴射ポンプの使用は任意であるが、非常に正確な送達を可能にする。 </li><li>ゆっくりと注射器を撤回。目の保湿を適用することは、水和目を維持するためにドロップされます。 </li><li>それは胸骨横臥位を取り戻すまで、動物を監視し続ける。それは胸骨横臥位を取り戻すまで、無人の動物を残したり、他の警報動物とケージに戻らないでください。 </li></ol>

None of the authors have any commercial disclosures to declare.

この記事では、ラットおよびマウス中に懸濁したRPE細胞の網膜下注射を実行するための比較的簡単な方法を記載する。プロトコルは、学習が容易で技術に多くの経験が（ 図3;これは、より良い注射のうちの1つを表す）より少ない外傷に翻訳し、マイクロマニピュレーターが（ 図1A）を使用している場合は特に。任意の外傷CSLOおよびOCTシステム（ 図2）利...

The sensory retina is organized in functional tiers of neurons, glia, and endothelial cells. Photoreceptors at the back of the retina are activated by light; through phototransduction they convert photons into electrical signals that are refined by interneurons and transmitted to the visual cortex in the brain. Phototransduction cannot occur without the coordinated efforts of Mueller glia and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. RPE are organized in a monolayer directly behind the photoreceptors and perform multiple and diverse functions integral to photoreceptor function and homeostasis. In fact, RPE and photoreceptors are so co-dependent that they are considered to be one functional unit. Death or dysfunction of RPE results in devastating secondary effects on photoreceptors and is associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the elderly1,2.
While no cure has been discovered for AMD, several clinical studies have shown that RPE cell replacement may be a promising therapeutic option3-13. With the advent of stem cell technology, it is now possible to generate large numbers of RPE cells in vitro from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (hES and hiPS) that strongly resemble their somatic counterparts functionally and anatomically14-26. Stem cell-derived RPE have also been shown to function in vivo by multiple independent groups, including our own, to significantly slow retinal degeneration in rat and mouse lines with spontaneous retinal degeneration16,18,21,22,25,28,29. This combination of clinical and preclinical supporting evidence is so compelling that several clinical trials to prevent retinal degeneration using stem cell-derived RPE cells are now ongoing30,31. 
RPE can be readily derived from hES and/or hiPS and implanted in the subretinal space of rodents using various derivation and injection techniques32,33. (See Westenskow et al. for a methods paper in multimedia format demonstrating the directed differentiation protocol we employ)34. There are critical remaining questions regarding the safety, survival, and functional capacity of exogenously delivered RPE cells upon implantation, therefore the ability to perform subretinal injections in rodents is a critical skill16,18,21,29,36,37. The delivery of RPE is not trivial, and the field is divided on the most effective injection technique. The protocol we describe here is a simple and effective way to deliver of bolus of RPE cells subretinally, and was used in the first clinical trial for stem cell-derived RPE transplantation31. (The reader may also refer to another JoVE article by Eberle et al. for an alternative depiction of subretinal injections in rodents.38) 
The technique outlined in this manuscript cannot be visualized and trauma is unavoidable (as with any subretinal injection technique). It is performed by making a hole just under the limbus vessels and inserting a blunt needle along a transscleral route to inject a bolus of cells under the diametrically opposed retina. The person doing the injection will feel resistance as the blunt needle touches the retina. The cells may be directly visualized after the injection, however, and the degree of the induced retinal detachment can be determined by labeling the RPE cells with a transient fluorescent marker and detecting them with a confocal scanning ophthalmoscope (cSLO). An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system can also be used to monitor the trauma and easily identify the injection site.

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performing subretinal injections in rodents to deliver retinal pigment epithelium cells in suspension

電気インパルスへの光の変換は、網膜の外側で発生し、桿体および錐体光受容体および網膜色素上皮（RPE）細胞によって主に達成される。 RPEは、光受容体と死亡またはRPE細胞の機能障害、加齢黄斑変性症（AMD）、人々の年齢55歳以上で永久的な失明の主要な原因の特徴であるための重要なサポートを提供します。 AMDの治療法は同定されていないが、罹患した眼における健康RPEの移植が有効な治療であることを証明することができ、RPE細胞の多数は容易に多能性幹細胞から生成することができる。 RPE細胞送達の安全性および有効性に関するいくつかの興味深い問題は、依然として動物モデルにおいて試験することができ、RPEを注入するために使用される広く受け入れられたプロトコルが開発されている。ここに記載された技術は、様々な研究に複数のグループによって使用されており、最初の鋭い針で目に穴を作成することを含む。ブルーレイとシリンジ細胞を装填した針が穴を通って挿入され、それは穏やかにRPEに接触するまで、硝子体を通過するのnt。比較的単純であり、最小限の設備を必要とするこの注入法を用いて、動物モデルにおける光受容体変性のかなりの量を防止するホストRPEとの間に幹細胞由来のRPE細胞の一貫性のある効率的な統合を達成する。実際のプロトコルの一部ではないが、我々はまた、注射によって誘導外傷の程度を決定する方法について説明し、どのように細胞は、生体内の画像診断法で使用して網膜下腔に注入したことを確認します。最後に、このプロトコルの使用は、RPE細胞に限定されるものではない。それが網膜下腔への任意の化合物又は細胞を注入するために使用することができる。

我々は、この原稿に記載された技術を使用して迅速かつ一貫してげっ歯類の網膜下腔へのRPE細胞の懸濁液を提供することができます。必須ではありませんが、外傷が大幅に図1A＆Bでマイクロマニピュレーターで示した設定を使用して最小限に抑えることができます。一時的な眼球突出については、図1（c）に示すように齧歯類を持ってください。マイクロマニピュレ?...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Performing Subretinal Injections in Rodents to Deliver Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells in Suspension at JoVE.com

Performing Subretinal Injections in Rodents to Deliver Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells in Suspension

Here we present a community accepted protocol in multimedia format for subretinally injecting a bolus of RPE cells in rats and mice. This approach can be used for determining rescue potentials, safety profiles, and survival capacities of grafted RPE cells upon implantation in animal models of retinal degeneration.

懸濁液中の網膜色素上皮細胞を送達するげっ歯類における網膜下注射の実行

The conversion of light into electrical impulses occurs in the outer retina and is accomplished largely by rod and cone photoreceptors and retinal pigment ...

performing-subretinal-injections-rodents-to-deliver-retinal-pigment

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

17.1K ビュー.  The Scripps Research Institute. Here we present a community accepted protocol in multimedia format for subretinally injecting a bolus of RPE cells in rats and mice. This approach can be used for determining rescue potentials, safety profiles, and survival capacities of grafted RPE cells upon implantation in animal models of retinal degeneration.

ビデオ: Performing Subretinal Injections in Rodents to Deliver Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells in Suspension

Subretinal Injection of Gene Therapy Vectors and Stem Cells in the Perinatal Mouse Eye

The loss of sight affects approximately 3.4 million people in the United States and is expected to increase in the upcoming years.1 Recently, gene therapy and stem cell transplantations have become key therapeutic tools for treating blindness resulting from retinal degenerative diseases. Several forms of autologous transplantation for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), such as iris pigment epithelial cell transplantation, have generated encouraging results, and human clinical trials have begun for other forms of gene and stem cell therapies.2 These include RPE65 gene replacement therapy in patients with Leber's congenital amaurosis and an RPE cell transplantation using human embryonic stem (ES) cells in Stargardt's disease.3-4 Now that there are gene therapy vectors and stem cells available for treating patients with retinal diseases, it is important to verify these potential therapies in animal models before applying them in human studies. The mouse has become an important scientific model for testing the therapeutic efficacy of gene therapy vectors and stem cell transplantation in the eye.5-8 In this video article, we present a technique to inject gene therapy vectors or stem cells into the subretinal space of the mouse eye while minimizing damage to the surrounding tissue.

This surgical technique illustrates the injection of gene therapy vectors and stem cells into the subretinal space of the mouse eye.

マウスの眼の中に遺伝子治療ベクターと幹細胞の網膜下注入

The loss of sight affects approximately 3.4 million people in the United States and is expected to increase in the upcoming years.1 Recently, gene therapy ...

医学

Retinal Detachment Model in Rodents by Subretinal Injection of Sodium Hyaluronate

Subretinal injection of sodium hyaluronate is a widely accepted method of inducing retinal detachment (RD). However, the height and duration of RD or the occurrence of subretinal hemorrhage can affect photoreceptor cell death in the detached retina. Hence, it is advantageous to create reproducible RDs without subretinal hemorrhage for evaluating photoreceptor cell death. We modified a previously reported method to create bullous and persistent RDs in a reproducible location with rare occurrence of subretinal hemorrhage. The critical step of this modified method is the creation of a self-sealing scleral incision, which can prevent leakage of sodium hyaluronate after injection into the subretinal space. To make the self-sealing scleral incision, a scleral tunnel is created, followed by scleral penetration into the choroid with a 30 G needle. Although choroidal hemorrhage may occur during this step, astriction with a surgical spear reduces the rate of choroidal hemorrhage. This method allows a more reproducible and reliable model of photoreceptor death in diseases that involve RD such as rhegmatogenous RD, retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Creating experimental retinal detachments with a reproducible and sustained height of detachment, and without subretinal hemorrhage, is important for studying the pathophysiology of photoreceptor cell loss in retinal disease and evaluating potential therapeutic interventions. Here, we report such a method in detail.

ヒアルロン酸ナトリウムの網膜下注入によるげっ歯類における網膜剥離モデル

Subretinal injection of sodium hyaluronate is a widely accepted method of inducing retinal detachment (RD). However, the height and duration of RD or the ...

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) contains a subset of exclusively tumorigenic cancer stem cells (CSCs) which have been shown to drive tumor initiation, metastasis and resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. Here we describe a specific methodology for culturing primary human pancreatic CSCs as tumor spheres in anchorage-independent conditions. Cells are grown in serum-free, non-adherent conditions in order to enrich for CSCs while their more differentiated progenies do not survive and proliferate during the initial phase following seeding of single cells. This assay can be used to estimate the percentage of CSCs present in a population of tumor cells. Both size (which can range from 35 to 250 micrometers) and number of tumor spheres formed represents CSC activity harbored in either bulk populations of cultured cancer cells or freshly harvested and digested tumors 1,2. Using this assay, we recently found that metformin selectively ablates pancreatic CSCs; a finding that was subsequently further corroborated by demonstrating diminished expression of pluripotency-associated genes/surface markers and reduced in vivo tumorigenicity of metformin-treated cells. As the final step for preclinical development we treated mice bearing established tumors with metformin and found significantly prolonged survival. Clinical studies testing the use of metformin in patients with PDAC are currently underway (e.g., NCT01210911, NCT01167738, and NCT01488552). Mechanistically, we found that metformin induces a fatal energy crisis in CSCs by enhancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reducing mitochondrial transmembrane potential. In contrast, non-CSCs were not eliminated by metformin treatment, but rather underwent reversible cell cycle arrest. Therefore, our study serves as a successful example for the potential of in vitro sphere formation as a screening tool to identify compounds that potentially target CSCs, but this technique will require further in vitro and in vivo validation to eliminate false discoveries.

Pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs) can be expanded in vitro using the anchorage-independent sphere culture technique, which represents a powerful tool to study CSC biology and can serve as the first step to develop novel CSC-targeting therapies. Here the methodology for expanding, analyzing and targeting of pancreatic CSCs is provided.

新しい治療戦略を開発するための膵臓癌幹細胞特性を研究

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) contains a subset of exclusively tumorigenic cancer stem cells (CSCs) which have been shown to drive tumor ...

A Step by Step Protocol for Subretinal Surgery in Rabbits

Age related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, and other RPE related diseases are the most common causes for irreversible loss of vision in adults in industrially developed countries. RPE transplantation appears to be a promising therapy, as it may replace dysfunctional RPE, restore its function, and thereby vision.
Here we describe a method for transplanting a cultured RPE monolayer on a scaffold into the subretinal space (SRS) of rabbits. After vitrectomy xenotransplants were delivered into the SRS using a custom made shooter consisting of a 20-gauge metallic nozzle with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated plunger. The current technique evolved in over 150 rabbit surgeries over 6 years. Post-operative follow-up can be obtained using non-invasive and repetitive in vivo imaging such as spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) followed by perfusion-fixed histology.
The method has well-defined steps for easy learning and high success rate. Rabbits are considered a large eye animal model useful in preclinical studies for clinical translation. In this context rabbits are a cost-efficient and perhaps convenient alternative to other large eye animal models.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) replacement strategies and gene-based therapy are considered for several retinal degenerative conditions. For clinical translation, large eye animal models are required to study surgical techniques applicable in patients. Here we present a rabbit model for subretinal surgery geared towards RPE transplantation, which is versatile and cost-efficient.

ウサギにおける網膜下手術のためのステッププロトコルによってステップ

Age related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, and other RPE related diseases are the most common causes for irreversible loss of vision in ...

Mechanical and Controlled PRP Injections in Patients Affected by Androgenetic Alopecia

23 patients (18 male and 5 female) aged 21-70 years who displayed male pattern hair loss (MPHL) in Stage 1 to Stage 5 as determined by the Norwood-Hamilton classification scale, and female pattern hair loss (FPHL) in Stage 1 to Stage 2 as determined by the Ludwig classification scale, were treated with non-activated autologous platelet-rich plasma (A-PRP). Autologous blood (55 mL) was harvested using sodium citrate as an anticoagulant. A-PRP (23 mL) was produced for all cases using a closed system according to the transfusion service protocol. Following centrifugation (260 x g for 10 min) the A-PRP was inserted in a laser light selector device, and after the centrifugation, 9 mL of A-PRP was collected.
The scalp of the patients affected by androgenetic alopecia (AGA) was divided into four areas (frontal, parietal, vertex, and occipital); local anesthesia was not performed. Interfollicular A-PRP injections (0.2 mL x cm2) were performed by controlled and mechanical injections scheduled at a depth of 5 mm using a medical injector gun. Treatment sessions were performed with a 30-day interval. For each patient, three treatment sessions were performed.
PRP was injected in the androgen-related areas of scalp affected by hair loss. Placebo (normal saline solution) was loaded in another syringe (10 mL) and injected on the adjacent side in a similar fashion.

This paper aims to describe the interfollicular autologous platelet-rich plasma injections (0.20 mL x cm2) in the scalp of 23 patients affected by androgenetic alopecia at a depth of 5 mm using a medical injector gun equipped with a 30 gauge needle, in three sessions.

アンドロゲン性脱毛症の影響を受ける患者における力学と制御された PRP 注射

23 patients (18 male and 5 female) aged 21-70 years who displayed male pattern hair loss (MPHL) in Stage 1 to Stage 5 as determined by the ...

Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Model for Ischemic Retinal Diseases in Rodents

One of the commonly used models for ischemic retinopathies is the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model. Here we describe detailed protocols for the OIR model induction and its readouts in both mice and rats. Retinal neovascularization is induced in OIR by exposing rodent pups either to hyperoxia (mice) or alternating levels of hyperoxia and hypoxia (rats). The primary readouts of these models are the size of neovascular (NV) and avascular (AVA) areas in the retina. This preclinical in vivo model can be used to evaluate the efficacy of potential anti-angiogenic drugs or to address the role of specific genes in the retinal angiogenesis by using genetically manipulated animals. The model has some strain and vendor specific variation in the OIR induction which should be taken into consideration when designing the experiments.

Oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) can be used to model ischemic retinal diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity and proliferative diabetic retinopathy and to serve as a model for proof-of-concept studies in evaluating antiangiogenic drugs for neovascular diseases. OIR induces robust and reproducible neovascularization in the retina that can be quantified.

げっ歯類における虚血性網膜症の酸素誘導網膜症モデル

One of the commonly used models for ischemic retinopathies is the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model. Here we describe detailed protocols for the OIR ...

Induction and Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Sleeping Beauty Transposon-Transfected Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in several degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a pathology that affects ~30 million patients worldwide. It leads to a decrease in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-synthesized neuroprotective factors, e.g., pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), followed by the loss of RPE cells, and eventually photoreceptor and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. We hypothesize that the reconstitution of the neuroprotective and neurogenic retinal environment by the subretinal transplantation of transfected RPE cells overexpressing PEDF and GM-CSF has the potential to prevent retinal degeneration by mitigating the effects of oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation, and supporting cell survival. Using the Sleeping Beauty transposon system (SB100X) human RPE cells have been transfected with the PEDF and GM-CSF genes and shown stable gene integration, long-term gene expression, and protein secretion using qPCR, western blot, ELISA, and immunofluorescence. To confirm the functionality and the potency of the PEDF and GM-CSF secreted by the transfected RPE cells, we have developed an in vitro assay to quantify the reduction of H2O2-induced oxidative stress on RPE cells in culture. Cell protection was evaluated by analyzing cell morphology, density, intracellular level of glutathione, UCP2 gene expression, and cell viability. Both, transfected RPE cells overexpressing PEDF and/or GM-CSF and cells non-transfected but pretreated with PEDF and/or GM-CSF (commercially available or purified from transfected cells) showed significant antioxidant cell protection compared to non-treated controls. The present H2O2-model is a simple and effective approach to evaluate the antioxidant effect of factors that may be effective to treat AMD or similar neurodegenerative diseases.

Induction and Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Sleeping Beauty Transposon-Transfected Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

We present a protocol for the development and use ofan oxidative stress-model by treating retinal pigment epithelial cells with H2O2, analyzing cell morphology, viability, density, glutathione, and UCP-2 level. It is a useful model to investigate the antioxidant effect of proteins secreted by transposon-transfected cells to treat neuroretinal degeneration.

睡眠美容トランスポゾントランスポゾントランスフェクトヒト網膜色素上皮細胞における酸化ストレスの誘導と分析

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in several degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a pathology that affects ~30 ...

Electroporation-Based Genetic Modification of Primary Human Pigment Epithelial Cells Using the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System

Our increasingly aging society leads to a growing incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. So far, the pathological mechanisms are inadequately understood, thus impeding the establishment of defined treatments. Cell-based additive gene therapies for the increased expression of a protective factor are considered as a promising option to medicate neurodegenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We have developed a method for the stable expression of the gene encoding pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), which is characterized as a neuroprotective and anti-angiogenic protein in the nervous system, into the genome of primary human pigment epithelial (PE) cells using the Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system. Primary PE cells were isolated from human donor eyes and maintained in culture. After reaching confluence, 1 x 104 cells were suspended in 11 &#181;L of resuspension buffer and combined with 2 &#181;L of a purified solution containing 30 ng of hyperactive SB (SB100X) transposase plasmid and 470 ng of PEDF transposon plasmid. Genetic modification was carried out with a capillary electroporation system using the following parameters: two pulses with a voltage of 1,100 V and a width of 20 ms. Transfected cells were transferred into culture plates containing medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum; antibiotics and antimycotics were added with the first medium exchange. Successful transfection was demonstrated in independently performed experiments. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed the increased expression of the PEDF transgene. PEDF secretion was significantly elevated and remained stable, as evaluated by immunoblotting, and quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). SB100X-mediated transfer allowed for a stable PEDF gene integration into the genome of PE cells and ensured the continuous secretion of PEDF, which is critical for the development of a cell-based gene addition therapy to treat AMD or other retinal degenerative diseases. Moreover, analysis of the integration profile of the PEDF transposon into human PE cells indicated an almost random genomic distribution.

We have developed a protocol to transfect primary human pigment epithelial cells by electroporation with the gene encoding pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) using the Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system. Successful transfection was demonstrated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

眠れる森の美女トランスポゾンシステムを用いた初代ヒト色素上皮細胞のエレクトロポレーションに基づく遺伝子改変

Our increasingly aging society leads to a growing incidence of neurodegenerative diseases. So far, the pathological mechanisms are inadequately ...

Retinal Pigment Epithelium Transplantation in a Non-human Primate Model for Degenerative Retinal Diseases

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) transplantation holds great promise for the treatment of inherited and acquired retinal degenerative diseases. These conditions include retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and advanced forms of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), such as geographic atrophy (GA). Together, these disorders represent a significant proportion of currently untreatable blindness globally. These unmet medical needs have generated heightened academic interest in developing methods of RPE replacement. Among the animal models commonly utilized for preclinical testing of therapeutics, the non-human primate (NHP) is the only animal model that has a macula. As it shares this anatomical similarity with the human eye, the NHP eye is an important and appropriate preclinical animal model for the development of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) such as RPE cell therapy.
This manuscript describes a method for the submacular transplantation of an RPE monolayer, cultured on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) cell carrier, underneath the macula onto a surgically created RPE wound in immunosuppressed NHPs. The fovea-the central avascular portion of the macula-is the site of the greatest mechanical weakness during the transplantation. Foveal trauma will occur if the initial subretinal fluid injection generates an excessive force on the retina. Hence, slow injection under perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) vitreous tamponade is recommended with a dual-bore subretinal injection cannula at low intraocular pressure (IOP) settings to create a retinal bleb. 
Pretreatment with an intravitreal plasminogen injection to release parafoveal RPE-photoreceptor adhesions is also advised. These combined strategies can reduce the likelihood of foveal tears when compared to conventional techniques. The NHP is a key animal model in the preclinical phase of RPE cell therapy development. This protocol addresses the technical challenges associated with the delivery of RPE cellular therapy in the NHP eye.

The non-human primate (NHP) is an ideal model for studying human retinal cellular therapeutics due to the anatomical and genetic similarities. This manuscript describes a method for submacular transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial cells in the NHP eye and strategies to prevent intraoperative complications associated with macular manipulation.

ヒト以外の霊長類モデルにおける変性網膜疾患の網膜色素上皮移植

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) transplantation holds great promise for the treatment of inherited and acquired retinal degenerative diseases. These ...

Isolation of Intrapulmonary Artery and Smooth Muscle Cells to Investigate Vascular Responses

The intrapulmonary artery (IPA) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from rat lungs can be used to study the underlying mechanisms of vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation. After isolating the IPA and VSMCs, the characteristics of vascular responses in physiological and pathological conditions can be assessed in the absence of extrinsic factors such as nerve signals, hormones, cytokines, etc. Thus, the IPA and VSMCs serve as excellent models for studying vascular physiology/pathophysiology, along with various experimental investigations, such as modulation by pharmacological agents, patch-clamp electrophysiological analysis, calcium imaging, etc. Here, we have used a technique for isolating the IPA to investigate vascular responses in an organ bath setup. IPA segments were mounted on the organ bath chamber via intraluminal wires and stimulated by various pharmacological agents. The changes in IPA vascular tone (i.e., vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation), were recorded using an isometric force transducer and physiological data analysis software program. We implemented several experimental protocols, which can be adapted to investigate the mechanisms of vasorelaxation/vasoconstriction for studying the pharmacological activities of phytochemical or synthetic drugs. The protocols can also be used to evaluate drugs&#39; roles in modulating various diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension. The IPA model allows us to investigate the concentration-response curve, which is crucial in assessing drugs&#39; pharmacodynamic parameters.

Vascular responses of arterial pulmonary circulation can be explored using intrapulmonary artery (IPA) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The present study describes the isolation of IPA in detail and the protocols used for investigating vasorelaxation in response to physiological stimuli.