Polarized RPE Secretome Preserves Photoreceptors in Retinal Dystrophic RCS Rats.

ABSTRACT: Retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa, lack effective therapies. Conventional monotherapeutic approaches fail to target the multiple affected pathways in retinal degeneration. However, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) secretes several neurotrophic factors addressing diverse cellular pathways, potentially preserving photoreceptors. This study explored human embryonic stem cell-derived, polarized RPE soluble factors (PRPE-SF) as a combination treatment for retinal degeneration. PRPE-SF promoted retinal progenitor cell survival, reduced oxidative stress in ARPE-19 cells, and demonstrated critical antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects for preventing retinal degeneration in the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat model.

SUBMITTER: Ahluwalia K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10340490 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature