Volume 2, Issue 1, (January 2013)
Overview
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Objectives
Background: Eye, Retina and Müller cells
Methods
Aim
Results
Conclusion
Objectives revisited
Objectives
1. What are retinal Müller cells?
2. What is the role /function of Müller cells in the retina?
3. Why RCS rats are well established retinal degeneration
model?
4. What are clinical advantages and disadvantages of
neural stem cell therapy?
5. What is Visual acuity?
6. What is OKR?
7. What is luminance threshold?
8. What are neurotrophic factors?
9. What experiments you would propose in addition to
experiments performed in the article?
10. What are alternatives approaches besides use of small
molecule for stem cell therapy?
The Eye
Vitreous
Optic nerve
Cornea
Pupil
Lens
Retina
Iris
Ciliary Body
Choroid
Sclera
• Retina: Innermost photosensitive layer which contains
specialized cells which convert photons of light into nerve
impulses which are relayed to the brain.
Retina: Divided into 10 Layers
Young, B. et al. Wheater’s Functional Histology, 5th edition. (2006)
Müller cell
GCL
INL
ONL
Function
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Structural and metabolic support
Trophic/Growth factors
Water balance
Glutamate cycling
Potassium balance
Progenitor cells
Aim
• Whether neural stem cell (NSC) derived
from human embryonic stem cells (hESC)
by small molecules can preserve vision
following grafting into the Royal College
Surgeon (RCS) rats; a model for retinal
degeneration.
Methods
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NSCs
NSC-Green Fluorescent Protein
Experimental Groups
Subretinal Injection
Intravitreal Injection
Functional Evaluation
• Optokinetic Response (OKR)
• Luminance Thresholds (LT)
• Histology
Antibodies Used in This Study
Figure 1 : Functional evaluation of NSC, sham-injected,
and untreated animals.
Figure 2: Photoreceptor preservation and general
retinal lamination
Figure 3 :Confocal images showing the distribution of
NSCs-GFP and NSCs
Figure 4 :The distribution of NSCs and photoreceptor
preservation
Figure 5: Confocal images showed NSCs preserved
photoreceptors and limited secondary modifications
Figure 6: CNTF and GS
Conclusions
• NSCs derived from hESC by small molecules
can survive and preserve vision for long term
following subretinal transplantation in the RCS
rats.
• These cells migrate extensively in the subretinal
space and inner retina.
• There is no evidence of tumor formation or
unwanted changes after grafting into the eyes.
Objectives
1. What are retinal Müller cells?
2. What is the role /function of Müller cells in the retina?
3. Why RCS rats are well established retinal degeneration
model?
4. What are clinical advantages and disadvantages of
neural stem cell therapy?
5. What is Visual acuity?
6. What is OKR?
7. What is luminance threshold?
8. What are neurotrophic factors?
9. What experiments you would propose in addition to
experiments performed in the article?
10. What are alternatives approaches besides use of small
molecule for stem cell therapy?