Human Neural Progenitors Expressing GDNF Enhance Retinal Protection in a Rodent Model of Retinal Degeneration.

ABSTRACT: Stem cell therapy for retinal degenerative diseases has been extensively tested in preclinical and clinical studies. However, preclinical studies performed in animal models at the early stage of disease do not optimally translate to patients that present to the clinic at a later stage of disease. As the retina degenerates, inflammation and oxidative stress increase and trophic factor support declines. Testing stem cell therapies in animal models at a clinically relevant stage is critical for translation to the clinic. Human neural progenitor cells (hNPC) and hNPC engineered to stably express GDNF (hNPCGDNF) were subretinally injected into the Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) rats, a well-established model for retinal degeneration, at early and later stages of the disease. hNPCGDNF treatment

SUBMITTER: Shahin S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10630082 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature