Volume 2, Issue 1, (January 2013)

Overview

• Objectives

• Background: Eye, Retina and Müller cells

• Methods

• Aim

• Results

• Conclusion

• Objectives revisited

Objectives1. 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

• Retina: Innermost photosensitive layer which contains

specialized cells which convert photons of light into nerve

impulses which are relayed to the brain.

Vitreous

Optic nerve

Retina

Choroid

Sclera

Cornea

Pupil

Lens

Iris

Ciliary Body

Retina: Divided into 10 Layers

Young, B. et al. Young, B. et al. Wheater’s Functional Histology, 5Wheater’s Functional Histology, 5thth edition. edition. (2006)(2006)

Müller cell

ONL

INL

GCL

Function

• 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• 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.

Objectives1. 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?