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Bovi Dos Santos G, de Lima-Vasconcellos TH, Móvio MI, Birbrair A, Del Debbio CB, Kihara AH. New Perspectives in Stem Cell Transplantation and Associated Therapies to Treat Retinal Diseases: From Gene Editing to 3D Bioprinting. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:722-737. [PMID: 38319527 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-024-10689-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Inherited and non-inherited retinopathies can affect distinct cell types, leading to progressive cell death and visual loss. In the last years, new approaches have indicated exciting opportunities to treat retinopathies. Cell therapy in retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular disease, and glaucoma have yielded encouraging results in rodents and humans. The first two diseases mainly impact the photoreceptors and the retinal pigmented epithelium, while glaucoma primarily affects the ganglion cell layer. Induced pluripotent stem cells and multipotent stem cells can be differentiated in vitro to obtain specific cell types for use in transplant as well as to assess the impact of candidate molecules aimed at treating retinal degeneration. Moreover, stem cell therapy is presented in combination with newly developed methods, such as gene editing, Müller cells dedifferentiation, sheet & drug delivery, virus-like particles, optogenetics, and 3D bioprinting. This review describes the recent advances in this field, by presenting an updated panel based on cell transplants and related therapies to treat retinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrieli Bovi Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Marília Inês Móvio
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexander Birbrair
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Sciences Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Rm 4385, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Carolina Beltrame Del Debbio
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Hiroaki Kihara
- Laboratório de Neurogenética, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
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Zhang X, Xi G, Feng P, Li C, Kuehn MH, Zhu W. Intraocular pressure across the lifespan of Tg-MYOC Y437H mice. Exp Eye Res 2024; 241:109855. [PMID: 38453040 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Transgenic C57BL/6 mice expressing human myocilinY437 (Tg-MYOCY437H) are a well-established model for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). While the reduced trabecular meshwork (TM) cellularity due to severe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been characterized as the etiology of this model, there is a limited understanding of how glaucomatous phenotypes evolve over the lifespan of Tg-MyocY437H mice. In this study, we compiled the model's intraocular pressure (IOP) data recorded in our laboratory from 2017 to 2023 and selected representative eyes to measure the outflow facility (Cr), a critical parameter indicating the condition of the conventional TM pathway. We found that Tg-MYOCY437H mice aged 4-12 months exhibited significantly higher IOPs than age-matched C57BL/6 mice. Notably, a decline in IOP was observed in Tg-MYOCY437H mice at 17-24 months of age, a phenomenon not attributable to the gene dosage of mutant myocilin. Measurements of the Cr of Tg-MYOCY437H mice indicated that the age-related IOP reduction was not a result of ongoing TM damage. Instead, Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, immunohistochemistry analysis, and transmission electron microscopic examination revealed that this reduction might be induced by degenerations of the non-pigmented epithelium in the ciliary body of aged Tg-MYOCY437H mice. Overall, our findings provide a comprehensive profile of mutant myocilin-induced ocular changes over the Tg-MYOCY437H mouse lifespan and suggest a specific temporal window of elevated IOP that may be ideal for experimental purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Gaiping Xi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Pengchao Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Cong Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China
| | - Markus H Kuehn
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA; Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, 52246, USA
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266021, China; Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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3
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Ciociola EC, Fernandez E, Kaufmann M, Klifto MR. Future directions of glaucoma treatment: emerging gene, neuroprotection, nanomedicine, stem cell, and vascular therapies. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2024; 35:89-96. [PMID: 37910173 DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000001016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this article is to summarize current research on novel gene, stem cell, neuroprotective, nanomedicine, and vascular therapies for glaucoma. RECENT FINDINGS Gene therapy using viral vectors and siRNA have been shown to reduce intraocular pressure by altering outflow and production of aqueous humor, to reduce postsurgical fibrosis with few adverse effects, and to increase retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival in animal studies. Stem cells may treat glaucoma by replacing or stimulating proliferation of trabecular meshwork cells, thus restoring outflow facility. Stem cells can also serve a neuroprotective effect by differentiating into RGCs or preventing RGC loss via secretion of growth factors. Other developing neuroprotective glaucoma treatments which can prevent RGC death include nicotinamide, the NT-501 implant which secretes ciliary neurotrophic factor, and a Fas-L inhibitor which are now being tested in clinical trials. Recent studies on vascular therapy for glaucoma have focused on the ability of Rho Kinase inhibitors and dronabinol to increase ocular blood flow. SUMMARY Many novel stem cell, gene, neuroprotective, nanomedicine, and vascular therapies have shown promise in preclinical studies, but further clinical trials are needed to demonstrate safety and efficacy in human glaucomatous eyes. Although likely many years off, future glaucoma therapy may take a multifaceted approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Meredith R Klifto
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Xi G, Feng P, Zhang X, Wu S, Zhang J, Wang X, Xiang A, Xu W, Wang N, Zhu W. iPSC-derived cells stimulate ABCG2 + /NES + endogenous trabecular meshwork cell proliferation and tissue regeneration. Cell Prolif 2024:e13611. [PMID: 38356373 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
A major risk factor for glaucoma, the first leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, is the decellularisation of the trabecular meshwork (TM) in the conventional outflow pathway. Stem cell-based therapy, particularly the utilisation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), presents an enticing potential for tissue regeneration and intraocular pressure (IOP) maintenance in glaucoma. We have previously observed that differentiated iPSCs can stimulate endogenous cell proliferation in the TM, a pivotal factor in TM regeneration and aqueous humour outflow restoration. In this study, we investigated the response of TM cells in vivo after interacting with iPSC-derived cells and identified two subpopulations responsible for this relatively long-term tissue regeneration: ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily G Member 2 (ABCG2)-positive cells and Nestin (NES)-positive cells. We further uncovered that alterations of these responsive cells are linked to ageing and different glaucoma etiologies, suggesting that ABCG2+ subpopulation decellularization could serve as a potential risk factor for TM decellularization in glaucoma. Taken together, our findings illustrated the proliferative subpopulations in the conventional outflow pathway when stimulated with iPSC-derived cells and defined them as TM precursors, which may be applied to develop novel therapeutic approaches for glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaiping Xi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Pengchao Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shen Wu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fundamental Research on Biomechanics in Clinical Application, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxue Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fundamental Research on Biomechanics in Clinical Application, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangji Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ailing Xiang
- Qingdao Xikai Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenhua Xu
- Department of Inspection, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ningli Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Fundamental Research on Biomechanics in Clinical Application, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics-Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics-Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Yan X, Wu S, Liu Q, Cheng Y, Teng Y, Ren T, Zhang J, Wang N. Serine to proline mutation at position 341 of MYOC impairs trabecular meshwork function by causing autophagy deregulation. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:21. [PMID: 38212635 PMCID: PMC10784477 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01801-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a highly heritable disease, and myocilin was the first identified causal and most common pathogenic gene in glaucoma. Serine-to-proline mutation at position 341 of myocilin (MYOCS341P) is associated with severe glaucoma phenotypes in a five-generation primary open-angle glaucoma family. However, the underlying mechanisms are underexplored. Herein, we established the MYOCS341P transgenic mouse model and characterized the glaucoma phenotypes. Further, we systematically explored the functional differences between wild-type and MYOCS341P through immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and RNA-seq analyses. We found that MYOCS341P transgenic mice exhibit glaucoma phenotypes, characterized by reduced aqueous humor outflow, elevated intraocular pressure, decreased trabecular meshwork (TM) cell number, narrowed Schlemm's canal, retinal ganglion cell loss, and visual impairment. Mechanistically, the secretion of dysfunctional MYOCS341P accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), inducing ER stress and dysregulation of autophagy, thereby promoting TM cell death. We describe an effective transgenic model for mechanistic studies and the screening of therapeutic targets. Our data generated from high-throughput analyses help elucidate the mechanism underlying mutant MYOC-related glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejing Yan
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Shen Wu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yufei Teng
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Tianmin Ren
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jingxue Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China.
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Ningli Wang
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China.
- Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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Yam GHF, Pi S, Du Y, Mehta JS. Posterior corneoscleral limbus: Architecture, stem cells, and clinical implications. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 96:101192. [PMID: 37392960 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2023.101192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The limbus is a transition from the cornea to conjunctiva and sclera. In human eyes, this thin strip has a rich variation of tissue structures and composition, typifying a change from scleral irregularity and opacity to corneal regularity and transparency; a variation from richly vascularized conjunctiva and sclera to avascular cornea; the neural passage and drainage of aqueous humor. The limbal stroma is enriched with circular fibres running parallel to the corneal circumference, giving its unique role in absorbing small pressure changes to maintain corneal curvature and refractivity. It contains specific niches housing different types of stem cells for the corneal epithelium, stromal keratocytes, corneal endothelium, and trabecular meshwork. This truly reflects the important roles of the limbus in ocular physiology, and the limbal functionality is crucial for corneal health and the entire visual system. Since the anterior limbus containing epithelial structures and limbal epithelial stem cells has been extensively reviewed, this article is focused on the posterior limbus. We have discussed the structural organization and cellular components of the region beneath the limbal epithelium, the characteristics of stem cell types: namely corneal stromal stem cells, endothelial progenitors and trabecular meshwork stem cells, and recent advances leading to the emergence of potential cell therapy options to replenish their respective mature cell types and to correct defects causing corneal abnormalities. We have reviewed different clinical disorders associated with defects of the posterior limbus and summarized the available preclinical and clinical evidence about the developing topic of cell-based therapy for corneal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Hin-Fai Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Shaohua Pi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yiqin Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jodhbir S Mehta
- Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore; Department of Cornea and External Eye Disease, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Program, Duke-National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical School, Singapore.
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7
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Ferrie L, Premnath P, Olsen A, Larijani L, Besler BA, Rancourt DE, Duncan NA, Underhill TM, Krawetz RJ. Exogenously delivered iPSCs disrupt the natural repair response of endogenous MPCs after bone injury. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9378. [PMID: 37296277 PMCID: PMC10256810 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36609-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Promoting bone healing including fracture non-unions are promising targets for bone tissue engineering due to the limited success of current clinical treatment methods. There has been significant research on the use of stem cells with and without biomaterial scaffolds to treat bone fractures due to their promising regenerative capabilities. However, the relative roles of exogenous vs. endogenous stem cells and their overall contribution to in vivo fracture repair is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction between exogenous and endogenous stem cells during bone healing. This study was conducted using a standardized burr-hole bone injury model in a mesenchymal progenitor cell (MPC) lineage-tracing mouse under normal homeostatic and osteoporotic conditions. Burr-hole injuries were treated with a collagen-I biomaterial loaded with and without labelled induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Using lineage-tracing, the roles of exogenous and endogenous stem cells during bone healing were examined. It was observed that treatment with iPSCs resulted in muted healing compared to untreated controls in intact mice post-injury. When the cell populations were examined histologically, iPSC-treated burr-hole defects presented with a dramatic reduction in endogenous MPCs and cell proliferation throughout the injury site. However, when the ovaries were removed and an osteoporotic-like phenotype induced in the mice, iPSCs treatment resulted in increased bone formation relative to untreated controls. In the absence of iPSCs, endogenous MPCs demonstrated robust proliferative and osteogenic capacity to undertake repair and this behaviour was disrupted in the presence of iPSCs which instead took on an osteoblast fate but with little proliferation. This study clearly demonstrates that exogenously delivered cell populations can impact the normal function of endogenous stem/progenitor populations during the normal healing cascade. These interactions need to be better understood to inform cell and biomaterial therapies to treat fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Ferrie
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Priyatha Premnath
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Alexandra Olsen
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Leila Larijani
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Bryce A Besler
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Derrick E Rancourt
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Neil A Duncan
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Civil Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - T Michael Underhill
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Roman J Krawetz
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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Feng P, Wang W, Xu W, Cao Q, Zhu W. Application of a Magnetic Platform in α6 Integrin-Positive iPSC-TM Purification. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10040410. [PMID: 37106597 PMCID: PMC10135729 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10040410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has provided a new approach to regenerating decellularized trabecular meshwork (TM) in glaucoma. We have previously generated iPSC-derived TM (iPSC-TM) using a medium conditioned by TM cells and verified its function in tissue regeneration. Because of the heterogeneity of iPSCs and the isolated TM cells, iPSC-TM cells appear to be heterogeneous, which impedes our understanding of how the decellularized TM may be regenerated. Herein, we developed a protocol based on a magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) system or an immunopanning (IP) method for sorting integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6)-positive iPSC-TM, an example of the iPSC-TM subpopulation. We first analyzed the purification efficiency of these two approaches by flow cytometry. In addition, we also determined cell viability by analyzing the morphologies of the purified cells. To conclude, the MACS-based purification could yield a higher ratio of ITGA6-positive iPSC-TM and maintain a relatively higher cell viability than the IP-based method, allowing for the preparation of any iPSC-TM subpopulation of interest and facilitating a better understanding of the regenerative mechanism of iPSC-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengchao Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Wenyan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Wenhua Xu
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Laboratory Technology Innovation, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Qilong Cao
- Qingdao Haier Biotech Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266109, China
- Correspondence: (Q.C.); (W.Z.)
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics-Capital Medical University, Beijing 100083, China
- Correspondence: (Q.C.); (W.Z.)
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Zhu W, Zhang X, Wu S, Wang N, Kuehn MH. iPSCs-Based Therapy for Trabecular Meshwork. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 281:277-300. [PMID: 37495850 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The trabecular meshwork (TM) of the eye serves as an essential tissue in controlling aqueous humor (AH) outflow and intraocular pressure (IOP) homeostasis. However, dysfunctional TM cells and/or decreased TM cellularity is become a critical pathogenic cause for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Consequently, it is particularly valuable to investigate TM characteristics, which, in turn, facilitates the development of new treatments for POAG. Since 2006, the advancement in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides a new tool to (1) model the TM in vitro and (2) regenerate degenerative TM in POAG. In this context, we first summarize the current approaches to induce the differentiation of TM-like cells from iPSCs and compare iPSC-derived TM models to the conventional in vitro TM models. The efficacy of iPSC-derived TM cells for TM regeneration in POAG models is also discussed. Through these approaches, iPSCs are becoming essential tools in glaucoma modeling and for developing personalized treatments for TM regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University & Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shen Wu
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital Eye Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ningli Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University & Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital Eye Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Markus H Kuehn
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, IA, USA
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10
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Cvekl A, Camerino MJ. Generation of Lens Progenitor Cells and Lentoid Bodies from Pluripotent Stem Cells: Novel Tools for Human Lens Development and Ocular Disease Etiology. Cells 2022; 11:cells11213516. [PMID: 36359912 PMCID: PMC9658148 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213516] [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: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into specialized tissues and organs represents a powerful approach to gain insight into those cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating human development. Although normal embryonic eye development is a complex process, generation of ocular organoids and specific ocular tissues from pluripotent stem cells has provided invaluable insights into the formation of lineage-committed progenitor cell populations, signal transduction pathways, and self-organization principles. This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent advances in generation of adenohypophyseal, olfactory, and lens placodes, lens progenitor cells and three-dimensional (3D) primitive lenses, "lentoid bodies", and "micro-lenses". These cells are produced alone or "community-grown" with other ocular tissues. Lentoid bodies/micro-lenses generated from human patients carrying mutations in crystallin genes demonstrate proof-of-principle that these cells are suitable for mechanistic studies of cataractogenesis. Taken together, current and emerging advanced in vitro differentiation methods pave the road to understand molecular mechanisms of cataract formation caused by the entire spectrum of mutations in DNA-binding regulatory genes, such as PAX6, SOX2, FOXE3, MAF, PITX3, and HSF4, individual crystallins, and other genes such as BFSP1, BFSP2, EPHA2, GJA3, GJA8, LIM2, MIP, and TDRD7 represented in human cataract patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Cvekl
- Departments Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-718-430-3217; Fax: +1-718-430-8778
| | - Michael John Camerino
- Departments Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Wang X, Cao Q, Wu S, Bahrani Fard MR, Wang N, Cao J, Zhu W. Magnetic Nano-Platform Enhanced iPSC-Derived Trabecular Meshwork Delivery and Tracking Efficiency. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 17:1285-1307. [PMID: 35345785 PMCID: PMC8957401 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s346141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Transplantation of stem cells to remodel the trabecular meshwork (TM) has become a new option for restoring aqueous humor dynamics and intraocular pressure homeostasis in glaucoma. In this study, we aimed to design a nanoparticle to label induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived TM and improve the delivery accuracy and in vivo tracking efficiency. Methods PLGA-SPIO-Cypate (PSC) NPs were designed with polylactic acid-glycolic acid (PLGA) polymers as the backbone, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, and near-infrared (NIR) dye cypate. In vitro assessment of cytotoxicity, iron content after NPs labeling, and the dual-model monitor was performed on mouse iPSC-derived TM (miPSC-TM) cells, as well as immortalized and primary human TM cells. Cell function after labeling, the delivery accuracy, in vivo tracking efficiency, and its effect on lowering IOP were evaluated following miPSC-TM transplantation in mice. Results Initial in vitro experiments showed that a single-time nanoparticles incubation was sufficient to label iPSC-derived TM and was not related to any change in both cell viability and fate. Subsequent in vivo evaluation revealed that the use of this nanoparticle not only improves the delivery accuracy of the transplanted cells in live animals but also benefits the dual-model tracking in the long term. More importantly, the use of the magnet triggers a temporary enhancement in the effectiveness of cell-based therapy in alleviating the pathologies associated with glaucoma. Conclusion This study provided a promising approach for enhancing both the delivery and in vivo tracking efficiency of the transplanted cells, which facilitates the clinical translation of stem cell-based therapy for glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangji Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Qilong Cao
- Qingdao Haier Biotech Co. Ltd, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Shen Wu
- Beijing Tongren Hospital Eye Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Ningli Wang
- Beijing Tongren Hospital Eye Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Big Data-Based Precision Medicine, Beihang University & Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Systemic Treatment with Pioglitazone Reverses Vision Loss in Preclinical Glaucoma Models. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020281. [PMID: 35204782 PMCID: PMC8961625 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. This is also the case in glaucoma and may be a reason why many patients suffer from progressive vision loss despite maximal reduction in intraocular pressure. Pioglitazone is an agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) whose pleiotrophic activities include modulation of cellular energy metabolism and reduction in inflammation. In this study we employed the DBA2/J mouse model of glaucoma with chronically elevated intraocular pressure to investigate whether oral low-dose pioglitazone treatment preserves retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival. We then used an inducible glaucoma model in C57BL/6J mice to determine visual function, pattern electroretinographs, and tracking of optokinetic reflex. Our findings demonstrate that pioglitazone treatment does significantly protect RGCs and prevents axonal degeneration in the glaucomatous retina. Furthermore, treatment preserves and partially reverses vision loss in spite of continuously elevated intraocular pressure. These data suggest that pioglitazone may provide treatment benefits for those glaucoma patients experiencing continued vision loss.
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