Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplantation: Approaches for Overcoming Challenges to Functional Integration
As part of the central nervous system, mammalian retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) lack significant regenerative capacity. Glaucoma causes progressive and irreversible vision loss by damaging RGCs and their axons, which compose the optic nerve. To functionally restore vision, lost RGCs must be replaced....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Cells |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/6/1426 |
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| author | Kevin Y. Zhang Erika A. Aguzzi Thomas V. Johnson |
| author_facet | Kevin Y. Zhang Erika A. Aguzzi Thomas V. Johnson |
| author_sort | Kevin Y. Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As part of the central nervous system, mammalian retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) lack significant regenerative capacity. Glaucoma causes progressive and irreversible vision loss by damaging RGCs and their axons, which compose the optic nerve. To functionally restore vision, lost RGCs must be replaced. Despite tremendous advancements in experimental models of optic neuropathy that have elucidated pathways to induce <i>endogenous</i> RGC neuroprotection and axon regeneration, obstacles to achieving functional visual recovery through <i>exogenous</i> RGC transplantation remain. Key challenges include poor graft survival, low donor neuron localization to the host retina, and inadequate dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis with afferent amacrine and bipolar cells. In this review, we summarize the current state of experimental RGC transplantation, and we propose a set of standard approaches to quantifying and reporting experimental outcomes in order to guide a collective effort to advance the field toward functional RGC replacement and optic nerve regeneration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:38:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ac1a1e8b657c4009a561b210e6d620c4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:38:19Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cells |
| spelling | doaj.art-ac1a1e8b657c4009a561b210e6d620c42023-11-21T23:11:08ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092021-06-01106142610.3390/cells10061426Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplantation: Approaches for Overcoming Challenges to Functional IntegrationKevin Y. Zhang0Erika A. Aguzzi1Thomas V. Johnson2Glaucoma Center for Excellence, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Maumenee B-110, Baltimore, MD 21287, USAGlaucoma Center for Excellence, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Maumenee B-110, Baltimore, MD 21287, USAGlaucoma Center for Excellence, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Maumenee B-110, Baltimore, MD 21287, USAAs part of the central nervous system, mammalian retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) lack significant regenerative capacity. Glaucoma causes progressive and irreversible vision loss by damaging RGCs and their axons, which compose the optic nerve. To functionally restore vision, lost RGCs must be replaced. Despite tremendous advancements in experimental models of optic neuropathy that have elucidated pathways to induce <i>endogenous</i> RGC neuroprotection and axon regeneration, obstacles to achieving functional visual recovery through <i>exogenous</i> RGC transplantation remain. Key challenges include poor graft survival, low donor neuron localization to the host retina, and inadequate dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis with afferent amacrine and bipolar cells. In this review, we summarize the current state of experimental RGC transplantation, and we propose a set of standard approaches to quantifying and reporting experimental outcomes in order to guide a collective effort to advance the field toward functional RGC replacement and optic nerve regeneration.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/6/1426retinal ganglion celloptic nerveneurontransplantationregenerationengraftment |
| spellingShingle | Kevin Y. Zhang Erika A. Aguzzi Thomas V. Johnson Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplantation: Approaches for Overcoming Challenges to Functional Integration Cells retinal ganglion cell optic nerve neuron transplantation regeneration engraftment |
| title | Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplantation: Approaches for Overcoming Challenges to Functional Integration |
| title_full | Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplantation: Approaches for Overcoming Challenges to Functional Integration |
| title_fullStr | Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplantation: Approaches for Overcoming Challenges to Functional Integration |
| title_full_unstemmed | Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplantation: Approaches for Overcoming Challenges to Functional Integration |
| title_short | Retinal Ganglion Cell Transplantation: Approaches for Overcoming Challenges to Functional Integration |
| title_sort | retinal ganglion cell transplantation approaches for overcoming challenges to functional integration |
| topic | retinal ganglion cell optic nerve neuron transplantation regeneration engraftment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/6/1426 |
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