title: Epiretinal transplantation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells rescues retinal and vision function in a rat model of retinal degeneration.
abstract: Vision incapacitation and blindness associated with incurable retinal degeneration affect millions of people worldwide. In this study, 0.25×10(6) human bone marrow stem cells (hBM-MSCs) were transplanted epiretinally in the right eye of Royal College Surgeons (RCS) rats at the age of 28 days. Epiretinally transplanted cells were identified as a thin layer of cells along vitreous cavity, in close proximity to the retina or attached to the lens capsule, up to 6 weeks following transplantation. Epiretinal transplantation delayed photoreceptor degeneration and rescued retinal function up to 20 weeks following cell transplantation. Visual functions remained close to normal levels in epiretinal transplantation rats. No inflammation or any other adverse effects were observed in transplanted eyes. Our findings suggest that transplantation of hBM-MSCs as a thin epiretinal layer is effective for treatment of retinal degeneration in RCS rats, and that transplanting the cells in close proximity to the retina enhances hBM-MSC therapeutic effect compared with intravitreal injection.
authors: Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Adi
authors: A
authors: Tzameret
authors: Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Ifat
authors: I
authors: Sher
authors: Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Belkin
authors: Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Cancer Research Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Avraham J
authors: AJ
authors: Treves
authors: Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Cancer Research Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Amilia
authors: A
authors: Meir
authors: Hematology Division, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Arnon
authors: A
authors: Nagler
authors: Rothberg Ophthalmic Molecular Biology Laboratory, Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Hani
authors: H
authors: Levkovitch-Verbin
authors: Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Ygal
authors: Y
authors: Rotenstreich
authors: Goldschleger Eye Research Institute, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. Electronic address: asolomon@post.tau.ac.il.
authors: Arieh S
authors: AS
authors: Solomon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D051381:Rats; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000628:therapy*; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
keywords: Epiretinal transplantation; Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; RCS rats; Retinal degeneration