title: Transplantation of CX3CL1-expressing mesenchymal stem cells provides neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects in a rat model of retinal degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) engineered to secrete CX3CL1 on the light-injured retinal structure and function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Normal MSCs and CX3CL1-expressing MSCs (CX3CL1-MSCs) were transplanted into the subretinal space of light-injured rats. By ERG and TUNEL methods, their rescue effect of the host retina was compared with untreated light-injured and vehicle-injected rats. Activated microglia in the retina were stained by ED-1 antibody, and Western blot was performed to quantify cytokines secreted by the retina post-transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ERG analysis showed better function in CX3CL1-MSC-injected group than other groups at 21 days after transplantation (p < 0.05). CX3CL1-MSCs inhibited apoptosis of the retinal cells and microglial activation. Neurotrophic factors expression in host retina that received CX3CL1-MSCs was stronger than in the retina that received normal MSCs. Conversely, the expression of proinflammatory factors was downregulated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CX3CL1-MSCs subretinal transplantation may enhance protective effect against light-induced retinal degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Institute of Ophthalmology, Fuzhou, China.
authors.forename: Libin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Guoxing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D054428:Chemokine CX3CL1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004596:Electroretinography; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000235:genetics*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D054428:Chemokine CX3CL1; C515540:Cx3cl1 protein, rat; D004247:DNA