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Sirés A, Pazo-González M, López-Soriano J, Méndez A, de la Rosa EJ, de la Villa P, Comella JX, Hernández-Sánchez C, Solé M. The Absence of FAIM Leads to a Delay in Dark Adaptation and Hampers Arrestin-1 Translocation upon Light Reception in the Retina. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030487. [PMID: 36766830 PMCID: PMC9914070 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The short and long isoforms of FAIM (FAIM-S and FAIM-L) hold important functions in the central nervous system, and their expression levels are specifically enriched in the retina. We previously described that Faim knockout (KO) mice present structural and molecular alterations in the retina compatible with a neurodegenerative phenotype. Here, we aimed to study Faim KO retinal functions and molecular mechanisms leading to its alterations. Electroretinographic recordings showed that aged Faim KO mice present functional loss of rod photoreceptor and ganglion cells. Additionally, we found a significant delay in dark adaptation from early adult ages. This functional deficit is exacerbated by luminic stress, which also caused histopathological alterations. Interestingly, Faim KO mice present abnormal Arrestin-1 redistribution upon light reception, and we show that Arrestin-1 is ubiquitinated, a process that is abrogated by either FAIM-S or FAIM-L in vitro. Our results suggest that FAIM assists Arrestin-1 light-dependent translocation by a process that likely involves ubiquitination. In the absence of FAIM, this impairment could be the cause of dark adaptation delay and increased light sensitivity. Multiple retinal diseases are linked to deficits in photoresponse termination, and hence, investigating the role of FAIM could shed light onto the underlying mechanisms of their pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sirés
- Cell Signaling and Apoptosis Group, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mateo Pazo-González
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Systems Biology, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Joaquín López-Soriano
- Cell Signaling and Apoptosis Group, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ana Méndez
- Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Medicine, Campus Universitari de Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Campus Universitari de Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Campus Universitari de Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique J. de la Rosa
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro de la Villa
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Systems Biology, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Joan X. Comella
- Cell Signaling and Apoptosis Group, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Catalina Hernández-Sánchez
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Montse Solé
- Cell Signaling and Apoptosis Group, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Kalargyrou AA, Guilfoyle SE, Smith AJ, Ali RR, Pearson RA. Extracellular vesicles in the retina - putative roles in physiology and disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1042469. [PMID: 36710933 PMCID: PMC9877344 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1042469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina encompasses a network of neurons, glia and epithelial and vascular endothelia cells, all coordinating visual function. Traditionally, molecular information exchange in this tissue was thought to be orchestrated by synapses and gap junctions. Recent findings have revealed that many cell types are able to package and share molecular information via extracellular vesicles (EVs) and the technological advancements in visualisation and tracking of these delicate nanostructures has shown that the role of EVs in cell communication is pleiotropic. EVs are released under physiological conditions by many cells but they are also released during various disease stages, potentially reflecting the health status of the cells in their cargo. Little is known about the physiological role of EV release in the retina. However, administration of exogenous EVs in vivo after injury suggest a neurotrophic role, whilst photoreceptor transplantation in early stages of retina degeneration, EVs may facilitate interactions between photoreceptors and Müller glia cells. In this review, we consider some of the proposed roles for EVs in retinal physiology and discuss current evidence regarding their potential impact on ocular therapies via gene or cell replacement strategies and direct intraocular administration in the diseased eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini A. Kalargyrou
- King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Siobhan E. Guilfoyle
- King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander J. Smith
- King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin R. Ali
- King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Rachael A. Pearson
- King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Lechner J, Medina RJ, Lois N, Stitt AW. Advances in cell therapies using stem cells/progenitors as a novel approach for neurovascular repair of the diabetic retina. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:388. [PMID: 35907890 PMCID: PMC9338609 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03073-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy, a major complication of diabetes mellitus, is a leading cause of sigh-loss in working age adults. Progressive loss of integrity of the retinal neurovascular unit is a central element in the disease pathogenesis. Retinal ischemia and inflammatory processes drive interrelated pathologies such as blood retinal barrier disruption, fluid accumulation, gliosis, neuronal loss and/or aberrant neovascularisation. Current treatment options are somewhat limited to late-stages of the disease where there is already significant damage to the retinal architecture arising from degenerative, edematous and proliferative pathology. New preventive and interventional treatments to target early vasodegenerative and neurodegenerative stages of the disease are needed to ensure avoidance of sight-loss. MAIN BODY Historically, diabetic retinopathy has been considered a primarily microvascular disease of the retina and clinically it is classified based on the presence and severity of vascular lesions. It is now known that neurodegeneration plays a significant role during the pathogenesis. Loss of neurons has been documented at early stages in pre-clinical models as well as in individuals with diabetes and, in some, even prior to the onset of clinically overt diabetic retinopathy. Recent studies suggest that some patients have a primarily neurodegenerative phenotype. Retinal pigment epithelial cells and the choroid are also affected during the disease pathogenesis and these tissues may also need to be addressed by new regenerative treatments. Most stem cell research for diabetic retinopathy to date has focused on addressing vasculopathy. Pre-clinical and clinical studies aiming to restore damaged vasculature using vasoactive progenitors including mesenchymal stromal/stem cells, adipose stem cells, CD34+ cells, endothelial colony forming cells and induced pluripotent stem cell derived endothelial cells are discussed in this review. Stem cells that could replace dying neurons such as retinal progenitor cells, pluripotent stem cell derived photoreceptors and ganglion cells as well as Müller stem cells are also discussed. Finally, challenges of stem cell therapies relevant to diabetic retinopathy are considered. CONCLUSION Stem cell therapies hold great potential to replace dying cells during early and even late stages of diabetic retinopathy. However, due to the presence of different phenotypes, selecting the most suitable stem cell product for individual patients will be crucial for successful treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Lechner
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
| | - Reinhold J Medina
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Noemi Lois
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Alan W Stitt
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
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Park UC, Park SS, Kim BH, Park SW, Kim YJ, Cary W, Anderson JD, Nolta JA, Yu HG. Subretinal versus intravitreal administration of human CD34+ bone marrow-derived stem cells in a rat model of inherited retinal degeneration. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:1275. [PMID: 34532412 PMCID: PMC8421968 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-4662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background To evaluate whether subretinal or intravitreal injection of human CD34+ bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSC) can have protective effects on retinal degeneration that may be enhanced by coadministration of exosomes harvested from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods Human CD34+ cells were harvested from the mononuclear cell fraction of bone marrow using magnetic beads and labeled with EGFP. Exosomes were harvested from cultured human MSCs under hypoxic conditions. Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) 3-weeks-old rats, immunosuppressed with cyclosporine A, received subretinal or intravitreal injection of CD34+ cells (50,000 cells), CD34+ cells with exosomes (50,000 cells+10 µg), exosomes alone (10 µg), or PBS. Retinal function was examined using electroretinography (ERG), and the eyes were harvested for histologic and immunohistochemical analysis. Results The b-wave amplitude of ERG at 2 weeks after injection was significantly higher in eyes with subretinal or intravitreal CD34+ BMSC alone or in combination with exosomes when compared to PBS injected eyes or untreated contralateral eyes. At 4 weeks after injection, the ERG signal decreased in all groups but eyes with subretinal CD34+ BMSCs alone or combined with exosomes showed partially preserved ERG signal and preservation of the outer nuclear layer of the retina near the injection site on histology when compared to eyes with PBS injection. Immunohistochemical analysis identified the human cells in the outer retina. Subretinal or intravitreal exosome injection had no effect on retinal degeneration when administered alone or in combination with CD34+ cells. Conclusions Both subretinal and intravitreal injection of human CD34+ BMSCs can provide functional rescue of degenerating retina, although the effects were attenuated over time in this rat model. Regional preservation of the outer retina can occur near the subretinal injection site of CD34+ cells. These results suggest that CD34+ cells may have therapeutic potential in retinal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Un Chul Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Retinal Degeneration Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Susanna S Park
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, University of California Davis. Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Bo Hee Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Retinal Degeneration Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Wook Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Retinal Degeneration Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Joo Kim
- Retinal Degeneration Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea
| | - Whitney Cary
- Stem Cell Program, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Johnathon D Anderson
- Stem Cell Program, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of California Davis. Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jan A Nolta
- Stem Cell Program, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Hyeong Gon Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.,Retinal Degeneration Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Korea.,Seoul National University College of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Programs: Stem Cell Biology, Seoul, Korea
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Hippert C, Graca AB, Basche M, Kalargyrou AA, Georgiadis A, Ribeiro J, Matsuyama A, Aghaizu N, Bainbridge JW, Smith AJ, Ali RR, Pearson RA. RNAi-mediated suppression of vimentin or glial fibrillary acidic protein prevents the establishment of Müller glial cell hypertrophy in progressive retinal degeneration. Glia 2021; 69:2272-2290. [PMID: 34029407 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Gliosis is a complex process comprising upregulation of intermediate filament (IF) proteins, particularly glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin, changes in glial cell morphology (hypertrophy) and increased deposition of inhibitory extracellular matrix molecules. Gliosis is common to numerous pathologies and can have deleterious effects on tissue function and regeneration. The role of IFs in gliosis is controversial, but a key hypothesized function is the stabilization of glial cell hypertrophy. Here, we developed RNAi approaches to examine the role of GFAP and vimentin in vivo in a murine model of inherited retinal degeneration, the Rhodopsin knockout (Rho-/- ) mouse. Specifically, we sought to examine the role of these IFs in the establishment of Müller glial hypertrophy during progressive degeneration, as opposed to (more commonly assessed) acute injury. Prevention of Gfap upregulation had a significant effect on the morphology of reactive Müller glia cells in vivo and, more strikingly, the reduction of Vimentin expression almost completely prevented these cells from undergoing degeneration-associated hypertrophy. Moreover, and in contrast to studies in knockout mice, simultaneous suppression of both GFAP and vimentin expression led to severe changes in the cytoarchitecture of the retina, in both diseased and wild-type eyes. These data demonstrate a crucial role for Vimentin, as well as GFAP, in the establishment of glial hypertrophy and support the further exploration of RNAi-mediated knockdown of vimentin as a potential therapeutic approach for modulating scar formation in the degenerating retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Hippert
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Anna B Graca
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Mark Basche
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Centre for Cell and Gene Therapy, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Aikaterini A Kalargyrou
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Centre for Cell and Gene Therapy, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | | | - Joana Ribeiro
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Ayako Matsuyama
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Nozie Aghaizu
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | | | - Alexander J Smith
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Centre for Cell and Gene Therapy, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Robin R Ali
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Centre for Cell and Gene Therapy, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Rachael A Pearson
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Centre for Cell and Gene Therapy, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
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Ikelle L, Al-Ubaidi MR, Naash MI. Pluripotent Stem Cells for the Treatment of Retinal Degeneration: Current Strategies and Future Directions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:743. [PMID: 32923439 PMCID: PMC7457054 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cells have been part of the biomedical landscape since the early 1960s. However, the translation of stem cells to effective therapeutics have met significant challenges, especially for retinal diseases. The retina is a delicate and complex architecture of interconnected cells that are steadfastly interdependent. Degenerative mechanisms caused by acquired or inherited diseases disrupt this interconnectivity, devastating the retina and causing severe vision loss in many patients. Consequently, retinal differentiation of exogenous and endogenous stem cells is currently being explored as replacement therapies in the debilitating diseases. In this review, we will examine the mechanisms involved in exogenous stem cells differentiation and the challenges of effective integration to the host retina. Furthermore, we will explore the current advancements in trans-differentiation of endogenous stem cells, primarily Müller glia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Ikelle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Muayyad R Al-Ubaidi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Muna I Naash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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Li H, Lian L, Liu B, Chen Y, Yang J, Jian S, Zhou J, Xu Y, Ma X, Qu J, Hou L. KIT ligand protects against both light-induced and genetic photoreceptor degeneration. eLife 2020; 9:51698. [PMID: 32242818 PMCID: PMC7170656 DOI: 10.7554/elife.51698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptor degeneration is a major cause of blindness and a considerable health burden during aging but effective therapeutic or preventive strategies have not so far become readily available. Here, we show in mouse models that signaling through the tyrosine kinase receptor KIT protects photoreceptor cells against both light-induced and inherited retinal degeneration. Upon light damage, photoreceptor cells upregulate Kit ligand (KITL) and activate KIT signaling, which in turn induces nuclear accumulation of the transcription factor NRF2 and stimulates the expression of the antioxidant gene Hmox1. Conversely, a viable Kit mutation promotes light-induced photoreceptor damage, which is reversed by experimental expression of Hmox1. Furthermore, overexpression of KITL from a viral AAV8 vector prevents photoreceptor cell death and partially restores retinal function after light damage or in genetic models of human retinitis pigmentosa. Hence, application of KITL may provide a novel therapeutic avenue for prevention or treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huirong Li
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lili Lian
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jinglei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shuhui Jian
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiajia Zhou
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ying Xu
- GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyin Ma
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jia Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ling Hou
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Abstract
Retinal degeneration is a leading cause of untreatable blindness in the industrialised world. It is typically irreversible and there are few curative treatments available. The use of stem cells to generate new retinal neurons for transplantation purposes has received significant interest in recent years and is beginning to move towards clinical trials. However, such approaches are likely to be most effective for relatively focal areas of repair. An intriguing complementary approach is endogenous self-repair. Retinal cells from the ciliary marginal zone (CMZ), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Müller glial cells (MG) have all been shown to play a role in retinal repair, typically in lower vertebrates. Among them, MG have received renewed interest, due to their distribution throughout (centre to periphery) the neural retina and their potential to re-acquire a progenitor-like state following retinal injury with the ability to proliferate and generate new neurons. Triggering these innate self-repair mechanisms represents an exciting therapeutic option in treating retinal degeneration. However, these cells behave differently in mammalian and non-mammalian species, with a considerably restricted potential in mammals. In this short review, we look at some of the recent progress made in our understanding of the signalling pathways that underlie MG-mediated regeneration in lower vertebrates, and some of the challenges that have been revealed in our attempts to reactivate this process in the mammalian retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Langhe
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
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