Therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells administered at later phase of recurrent experimental autoimmune uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To test the therapeutic effects of delayed treatment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in recurrent experimental autoimmune uveitis (rEAU).


METHODS
The efficacy of different regimens of MSC administration in rEAU were tested by evaluation of clinical and pathological intraocular inflammation, as well as retinal structural and functional integrity using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and electroretinogram (ERG). The retinal sections were also immunostained with antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and rhodopsin (RHO).


RESULTS
Delayed treatment of MSCs effectively alleviated the severity of intraocular inflammation with relative intact of outer retinal structure and function. Moreover, double therapies with longer interval led to an even better clinical evaluation, as well as a trend of decrease in relapse and amelioration of retinal function. MSC therapies also effectively reduced GFAP expression and increased RHO expression in the retina.


CONCLUSIONS
MSC administration can effectively treat developed diseases of rEAU, and multiple therapies can provide additional therapeutic benefits.
Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300384, China.
Ping-Ting
PT
Zhao
Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300384, China.
Ling-Jun
LJ
Zhang
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kentucky Lions Eye Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
Hui
H
Shao
Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300384, China.
Ling-Ling
LL
Bai
Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300384, China.
Bo
B
Yu
Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300384, China.
Chang
C
Su
Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300384, China.
Li-Jie
LJ
Dong
Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300384, China.
Xun
X
Liu
Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300384, China.
Xiao-Rong
XR
Li
Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300384, China.
Xiao-Min
XM
Zhang
electroretinogram; mesenchymal stem cells; optical coherence tomography; recurrent experimental autoimmune uveitis