Zhang C-J and Jin Z-B, J Stem Cell Res Dev 2019, 5: 014 DOI: 10.24966/SRDT-2060/100014
HSOA Journal of Stem Cells Research, Development and Therapy Review Article
Restoring Vision with Photoreceptor Regeneration Chang-Jun Zhang1,2 and Zi-Bing Jin1,2* Laboratory for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research; Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
1
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmology, National Center for International Research in Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou 325027, China
2
Abstract Neuroretinal diseases are the predominant cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, mainly due to photoreceptor loss. Currently, there are no radical treatments to fully reverse the degeneration or even stop the disease progression. Thus, it is urgent to develop new biological therapeutics for these diseases on the clinical side. Stem cell-based treatments have become a promising therapeutic for Neuroretinal diseases through replacement of damaged cells with photoreceptors and allied cells. To date, great efforts have been made on regenerate the diseased retina based on stem cell technology. In this review, we overview the current status of stem cell-based treatments for photoreceptor regeneration, including the major cell sources derived from different stem cells in pre-clinical or clinical trial stages. Additionally, we discuss herein the major challenges ahead for and potential new strategy toward photoreceptor regeneration. Keywords: Delivery strategy; Neuroretinal diseases; Photoreceptor; Regeneration; Stem cell
Abbreviations QOL: Quality of Life CNS: Central Nerve System RD: Retinal Degeneration RP: Retinitis Pigmentosa AMD: Age Related Macular Degeneration
*Corresponding author: Zi-Bing Jin, Laboratory for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research; Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China, Tel: +86 57788067926; E-mail: jinzb@mail.eye.ac.cn Citation: Zhang C-J, Jin Z-B (2019) Restoring Vision with Photoreceptor Regeneration. Stem Cell Res Dev Ther 4: 014. Received: July 29, 2019; Accepted: August 12, 2019; Published: August 19, 2019 Copyright: © 2019 Zhang C-J and Jin Z-B. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
BM: Bruch’s Membrane; RPE: Retinal Pigment Epithelium; STGD: Stargardt’s Disease RPCs: Retinal Progenitor Cells hRPCs: human-derived RPC MG: Müller Glia NMDA: N-methyl-D-aspartate CE: Ciliary Epithelium IPE: Iris Pigmented Epithelium ESCs: Embryonic Stem Cells iPSCs: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells hiESCs: human ESCs hiPSCs: human iPSCs MSCs: Mesenchymal Stem Cells ADSCs: Adipose-Derived Stem Cells AESCs: Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cells BMSCs: Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells AFMSCs: Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stem Cells 2D: Two-Dimensional 3D: Three-Dimensional LIF: Leukemia Inhibiting Factor BMP: Bone Morphogenetic Protein IGF-1: Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 SFEB: Serum-Free Floating Culture System ERG: Electroretinogram FACS: Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting MACS: Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting INL: Inner Retinal Layer ECM: Extracellular Matrix OKT: Optokinetic Testing SD-OCT: Spectral Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography HAMC: Hyaluronan-Methylcellulose HLAs: Human Leukocyte Antigens RA: Retinoic Acid LCA: Leber Congenital Amaurosis GVHD: Graft Versus Host Disease CSNB: Congenital Stationary Night Blindness
Introduction Human eye, the organ of the visual system, is the most important organ of perception and converts visual signals into neural signals in the brain [1,2]. The structure of the human eye is incredibly complex, comprising the cornea, iris and lens from the anterior segment, and the vitreous humor, retina, choroid and sclera from the posterior segment [3,4]. Healthy and asymptomatic eyes are undoubtedly crucial to Quality of Life (QOL). Unfortunately, there are many different diseases and age-related changes that affecting the eye, ranging from the anterior segment to the posterior segment [5,6]. Apart from