Mouse Degenerating Optic Axons Survived by Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells
Objective: Any damage to the optic nerve can potentially lead to degeneration of non-regenerating axons and ultimately death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) that in most cases, are not curable by surgery or medication. Neuroprotective functions of different types of stem cells in the nervous syst...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Royan Institute (ACECR), Tehran
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Cell Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://celljournal.org/journal/article/fulltext/mouse-degenerating-optic-axons-survived-by-human-embryonic-stem-cells-derived-neural-progenitor-cells.pdf |
| Summary: | Objective: Any damage to the optic nerve can potentially lead to degeneration of non-regenerating axons and ultimately
death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) that in most cases, are not curable by surgery or medication. Neuroprotective functions
of different types of stem cells in the nervous system have been evaluated in many studies investigating the effectiveness of
these cells in various retinal disease models. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) secrete an assortment of trophic factors that are
vital to the protection of the visual system. We aimed to assess the therapeutic potentials of NPCs in an ONC mouse model.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, NPCs were produced using noggin and retinoic acid from human
embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Fifty mice were divided into the following three groups: i. Intact , ii. Vehicle [optic nerve
crush+Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS)], and iii. Treatment (optic nerve crush+NPCs). The visual behavior of
the mice was examined using the Visual Cliff test, and in terms of RGC numbers, they were assessed by Brn3a
immunostaining and retrograde tracing using DiI injection.
Results: Intravenous injection of 50,000 NPCs through visual cliff did not produce any visual improvement. However,
our data suggest that the RGCs protection was more than two-times in NPCs compared to the vehicle group as
examined by Brn3a staining and retrograde tracing.
Conclusion: Our study indicated that intravenous injection of NPCs could protect RGCs probably mediated by trophic
factors. Due to this ability and good manufacturing practices (GMP) grade production feasibility, NPCs may be used
for optic nerve protection. |
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| ISSN: | 2228-5806 2228-5814 |