Human Retinal Progenitor Cells Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Delay Retinal Degeneration: A Paradigm for Cell-free Therapy.

ABSTRACT: Retinal degeneration is a leading cause of irreversible vision impairment and blindness worldwide. Previous studies indicate that subretinal injection of human retinal progenitor cells (hRPCs) can delay the progression of retinal degeneration, preserve retinal function, and protect photoreceptor cells from death, albeit the mechanism is not well understood. In this study, small extracellular vesicles derived from hRPCs (hRPC-sEVs) were injected into the subretinal space of retinal dystrophic RCS rats. We find that hRPC-sEVs significantly preserve the function of retina and thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL), reduce the apoptosis of photoreceptors in the ONL, and suppress the inflammatory response in the retina of RCS rats. In vitro, we have shown that hRPC-sEV treatment could signi

SUBMITTER: Chen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8667779 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature