Preclinical Evaluation and Optimization of a Cell Therapy Using Human Cord Blood-Derived Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells for Ischemic Retinopathies.

ABSTRACT: Cell therapy using endothelial progenitors holds promise for vascular repair in ischemic retinopathies. Using a well-defined subpopulation of human cord blood-derived endothelial progenitors known as endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), we have evaluated essential requirements for further development of this cell therapy targeting the ischemic retina, including dose response, delivery route, and toxicity. First, to evaluate therapeutic efficacy relating to cell dose, ECFCs were injected into the vitreous of mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy. Using angiography and histology, we found that intravitreal delivery of low dose (1 × 10³ ) ECFCs was as effective as higher cell doses (1 × 10⁴ , 1 × 10⁵ ) in promoting vascular repair. Second, injection into t

SUBMITTER: Reid E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5746158 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature