sub-retinal-delivery-human-embryonic-stem-cell-derived-photoreceptor

Sub-Retinal Delivery of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Photoreceptor Progenitors in <em>rd10</em> Mice

Regeneration of photoreceptor cells using human pluripotent stem cells is a promising therapy for the treatment of both hereditary and aging retinal ...

Duke-NUS Medical School

Blindness caused by advanced stages of inherited retinal diseases and age-related macular degeneration are characterized by photoreceptor loss. Cell therapy involving replacement with functional photoreceptor-like cells generated from human pluripotent stem cells holds great promise. Here, we generated a human recombinant retina-specific laminin isoform, LN523, and demonstrated the role in promoting the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into photoreceptor progenitors. This chemically defined and xenogen-free method enables reproducible production of photoreceptor progenitors within 32 days. We observed that the transplantation into rd10 mice were able to protect the host photoreceptor outer nuclear layer (ONL) up to 2 weeks post transplantation as measured by full-field electroretinogram. At 4 weeks post transplantation, the engrafted cells were found to survive, mature, and associate with the host's rod bipolar cells. Visual behavioral assessment using the water maze swimming test demonstrated visual improvement in the cell-transplanted rodents. At 20 weeks post transplantation, the maturing engrafted cells were able to replace the loss of host ONL by extensive association with host bipolar cells and synapses. Post-transplanted rabbit model also provided congruent evidence for synaptic connectivity with the degenerated host retina. The results may pave the way for the development of stem cell-based therapeutics for retina degeneration.

Photoreceptor laminin drives differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to photoreceptor progenitors that partially restore retina function.

Corneal endothelial dysfunction is one of the leading causes of corneal blindness, and the current conventional treatment option is corneal transplantation using a cadaveric donor cornea. However, there is a global shortage of suitable donor graft material, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. A stem cell-based regenerative medicine approach using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offers a promising solution, as they possess self-renewal capabilities, can be derived from adult somatic cells, and can be differentiated into all cell types including corneal endothelial cells (CECs). This review discusses the progress and challenges in developing protocols to induce iPSCs into CECs, focusing on the different media formulations used to differentiate iPSCs to neural crest cells (NCCs) and subsequently to CECs, as well as the characterization methods and markers that define iPSC-derived CECs. The hurdles and solutions for the clinical application of iPSC-derived cell therapy are also addressed, including the establishment of protocols that adhere to good manufacturing practice (GMP) guidelines. The potential risks of genetic mutations in iPSC-derived CECs associated with long-term in vitro culture and the danger of potential tumorigenicity following transplantation are evaluated. In all, this review provides insights into the advancement and obstacles of using iPSC in the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction.

Hwee Goon Tay

Centre for Vision Research,
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program

Duke-NUS Medical School

Sub-Retinal Delivery of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Photoreceptor Progenitors in rd10 Mice

Hwee Goon Tay

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Centre for Vision Research,Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program

Duke-NUS Medical School

Sub-Retinal Delivery of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Photoreceptor Progenitors in rd10 Mice

Centre for Vision Research,
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program