Transplanted Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Ganglion Cells Integrate and Form Synapses in a Retinal Ganglion Cell-Depleted Mouse Model.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) transplantation is a therapeutic approach to replace irreversibly degenerated RGCs in diseases such as glaucoma. However, the application of primary RGCs is limited by the availability of tissues. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether transplanted mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC)-derived RGCs can integrate into the host retina and form cell connectivity with host cells.

Methods

In this study, we prepared small retinal fragments containing RGC as THY1-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)+ cells from mESCs and placed them near the retinal surface in the air-injected mouse eyes with or without N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced RGC depletion. After transplantation, THY1-EGFP+ cell integration was observed in whole-mounts and wi

SUBMITTER: Wu YR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8556558 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature