title: A hydrogel-based stem cell delivery system to treat retinal degenerative diseases.
abstract: Regenerative strategies for retinal degenerative diseases are limited by poor cellular survival, distribution and integration after transplantation to the sub-retinal space. To overcome this limitations a stem cell delivery system was developed, taking advantage of the minimally-invasive, injectable and biodegradable properties of a blend of hyaluronan and methylcellulose (HAMC). The physical and biological properties of this unique HAMC formulation were studied. HAMC supported retinal stem-progenitor cell (RSPC) survival and proliferation in vitro. The blend was a viscous solution, exhibiting properties ideal for delivery to the sub-retinal space. In vivo transplantation studies in mice were carried out to investigate both the biodegradability of HAMC in the sub-retinal space over 7 days and the potential of HAMC as a cell delivery vehicle. RSPCs delivered in HAMC were more evenly distributed in the sub-retinal space than those delivered in traditional saline solutions, suggesting that HAMC is a promising vehicle for cellular delivery to the degenerating retina overcoming previously reported barriers to tissue integration in the retina such as cellular aggregation and non-contiguous distribution.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Ballios
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cooke
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van der Kooy
authors.forename: Molly S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shoichet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008747:Methylcellulose; D051379:Mice; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D008747:Methylcellulose