Review
Ophthalmology
K. Eastlake, W. D. B. Lamb, J. Luis, P. T. Khaw, H. Jayaram, G. A. Limb
Summary: Neural cell death is the main cause of blindness in retinal degenerative diseases, with recent stem cell research and the identification of Muller glial cells providing hope for potential therapies. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that they promote regeneration in humans.
PROGRESS IN RETINAL AND EYE RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Yuan Liu, Richard K. Lee
Summary: Degenerative diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy cause loss of retinal cells and serious vision loss. Stem cell transplantation shows promise but faces significant hurdles, particularly in replacing injured retinal ganglion cells, due to the Switchboard Dilemma which is analogous to the complexity of a telephone network's switchboard system in the retina.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Takashi Ohnishi, Kentaro Homan, Akira Fukushima, Daisuke Ukeba, Norimasa Iwasaki, Hideki Sudo
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a prevalent pathological condition associated with back pain worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has been recognized as a mainstream research objective and investigated for its potential in regenerating degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs). This study comprehensively reviews the molecules, scaffolds, and environmental factors that facilitate the differentiation of MSCs into IVD cells for regenerative therapies for IDD.
Article
Ophthalmology
Marina Yasvoina, Qian Yang, Sasha M. Woods, Tjebo Heeren, Grant M. Comer, Catherine A. Egan, Marcus Fruttiger
Summary: This study found that RPE cells invading the retina in retinal degenerative diseases undergo dedifferentiation and can be pigmented or unpigmented. As a result, the number of these cells may be underestimated through funduscopy.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Lay Khoon Too, Matthew P. Simunovic
Summary: Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in understanding the functions of glial cells, particularly Muller glia (MG), in retinal homeostasis and regeneration. While MG show regenerative capacity varying across species, their in vivo regenerative potential in mammals, including humans, is limited. Advances in stem cell therapy have shed light on critical mechanisms underlying MG reprogramming in fish, showing promising results when applied to rodents.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Olga L. German, Harmonie Vallese-Maurizi, Tamara B. Soto, Nora P. Rotstein, Luis Enrique Politi
Summary: Retinal degeneration is a major cause of visual dysfunction globally. Using stem cells for cell replacement therapy shows great potential in treating this condition. Preclinical research and clinical trials suggest that RPCs and iPSCs are the most promising treatment options, but there are still significant concerns and challenges that need to be addressed.
WORLD JOURNAL OF STEM CELLS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Alejandra Daruich, Emilie Picard, Justine Guegan, Thara Jaworski, Lea Parenti, Kimberley Delaunay, Marie-Christine Naud, Marianne Berdugo, Jeffrey H. Boatright, Francine Behar-Cohen
Summary: This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of UDCA versus TUDCA in a neuroretinal degeneration model and compared the transcriptionally regulated pathways. The results showed that TUDCA regulated more neuroprotective genes than UDCA.
Review
Cell Biology
Zoe Krut, Gadi Pelled, Dan Gazit, Zulma Gazit
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a result of imbalanced anabolic and catabolic processes in the disc, naturally occurring with age. Current treatments lack the ability to stop disease progression or restore functionality, while stem cell-derived exosomes show potential as a therapeutic option.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sergi Angel Bonilla-Pons, Shoma Nakagawa, Elena Garreta Bahima, Alvaro Fernandez-Blanco, Martina Pesaresi, Justin Christopher D'Antin, Ruben Sebastian-Perez, Daniela Greco, Eduardo Dominguez-Sala, Raul Gomez-Riera, Rafael Ignacio Barraquer Compte, Mara Dierssen, Nuria Montserrat Pulido, Maria Pia Cosma
Summary: This study discovered that cell fusion can occur between human müller glia and adult stem cells in the human retina, resulting in partial regeneration of neurons. The results suggest that cell fusion-mediated therapy may be a potential regenerative approach for treating human retinal dystrophies.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David J. J. Glass
Summary: Senescent cells in skeletal muscle promote inflammation and hinder regeneration, potentially causing harmful changes in aged muscle.
Article
Cell Biology
Raquel R. Martins, Mazen Zamzam, Dhani Tracey-White, Mariya Moosajee, Ryan Thummel, Catarina M. Henriques, Ryan B. MacDonald
Summary: Ageing affects the regenerative capacity of Müller glia cells in the retina, but is insufficient to stimulate neurodegeneration. Müller glia cells undergo morphological aberrations and loss of vision with ageing.
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Mei Yang, Guang-hua Peng
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including microvesicles (MVs) and exosomes, are crucial in regulating metabolism and communicating within cells. Stem cell-derived EVs have the potential for regeneration and avoiding issues like immune rejection or tumor formation. Their therapeutic effect has been proven in various diseases, but the molecular mechanism in retinal repair and regeneration is not fully understood. This review describes the biological characteristics of stem cell-derived EVs, summarizes current research on their use in retinal repair and regeneration, and discusses their potential and challenges in translational medicine.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Murilo Batista Abud, Petr Baranov, Sara Patel, Caroline A. Hicks, David Leonardo Cruvinel Isaac, Ricardo Noguera Louzada, Pierre Dromel, Deepti Singh, John Sinden, Marcos P. Avila, Michael Young
Summary: Despite efforts and advances, age-related macular degeneration remains a common cause of vision loss. This study compares the phenotypic profile of pig and human retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and investigates the survival and integration of green fluorescent protein-pig RPCs after transplantation into pig eyes. The study establishes the phenotypic equivalency between porcine and human RPCs and suggests an initial dose for future human clinical trials. The findings indicate the potential of using pig models for cellular treatments in vision restoration.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Consiglia Trotta, Sami Gharbia, Hildegard Herman, Bianca Mladin, Andrei Hermenean, Cornel Balta, Coralia Cotoraci, Victor Eduard Peteu, Carlo Gesualdo, Francesco Petrillo, Marilena Galdiero, Roberto Alfano, Mihaela Gherghiceanu, Michele D'Amico, Settimio Rossi, Anca Hermenean
Summary: The study found that aged mice had decreased endogenous levels of RvD1 in the retina, as well as sex-related differences in neuroinflammation and apoptosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Victoria Maneu, Pedro Lax, Antonio Miguel G. De Diego, Nicolas Cuenca, Antonio G. Garcia
Summary: This article discusses the multi-target therapy approach for treating retina degenerative diseases, with a focus on common signaling pathways leading to cell death. It suggests the use of combined medicines acting on complementary pathogenic mechanisms and highlights the potential efficacy of this approach compared to single-drug treatments.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irina Korovina, Ales Neuwirth, David Sprott, Silvio Weber, Sheik Pran Babu Sardar Pasha, Bettina Gercken, Georg Breier, Ali El-Armouche, Andreas Deussen, Mike O. Karl, Ben Wielockx, Triantafyllos Chavakis, Anne Klotzsche-von Ameln
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tiago Santos-Ferreira, Maik Herbig, Oliver Otto, Madalena Carido, Mike O. Karl, Stylianos Michalakis, Jochen Guck, Marius Ader
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Seba Almedawar, Katerina Vafia, Sven Schreiter, Katrin Neumann, Shahryar Khattak, Thomas Kurth, Marius Ader, Mike O. Karl, Stephen H. Tsang, Elly M. Tanaka
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Sven Schreiter, Katerina Vafia, Rico Barsacchi, Stephen H. Tsang, Marc Bickle, Marius Ader, Mike O. Karl, Elly M. Tanaka, Seba Almedawar
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Manuela Voelkner, Marina Pavlou, Hildegard Buening, Stylianos Michalakis, Mike O. Karl
Summary: rAAV vectors are widely used in gene delivery in the retina, showing safety and efficacy in treating inherited retinal dystrophies with limitations in transduction efficiency. Novel variants with modified capsid sequences have been engineered to improve this efficiency. Testing on hiPSC-derived human retinal organoids showed promising results with AAV9.NN achieving the highest efficiency in transduction. Using human organoids provides a valuable platform for evaluating novel AAV vectors for gene therapy applications in the retina.
HUMAN GENE THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Manuela Voelkner, Thomas Kurth, Jana Schor, Lynn J. A. Ebner, Lara Bardtke, Cagri Kavak, Joerg Hackermueller, Mike O. Karl
Summary: The optimized protocol for high yield mouse retinal organoids facilitates the assessment of key parameters, showing reliable completion of retinogenesis and maintenance for at least 60 days in culture with continued maturation. Activation of sonic hedgehog signaling during development increased retinal epithelial length in the organoid system, supporting organoid maturation, stability, and reproducibility.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Patrick Heisterkamp, Oliver Borsch, Nundehui Diaz Lezama, Sylvia Gasparini, Adeeba Fathima, Livia S. Carvalho, Felix Wagner, Mike O. Karl, Michael Schlierf, Marius Ader
Summary: Transplantation of photoreceptor cells in mouse retina can lead to cytoplasmic material transfer mediated by nanotube-like structures. Evidence suggests that this transfer process also occurs between endogenous cones and endogenous rods in the mouse retina, with preliminary data indicating similar material transfer in the human retina.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manuela Voelkner, Felix Wagner, Lisa Maria Steinheuer, Madalena Carido, Thomas Kurth, Ali Yazbeck, Jana Schor, Stephanie Wieneke, Lynn J. A. Ebner, Claudia Del Toro Runzer, David Taborsky, Katja Zoschke, Marlen Vogt, Sebastian Canzler, Andreas Hermann, Shahryar Khattak, Joerg Hackermueller, Mike O. Karl
Summary: Human organoids can provide valuable insights into complex and incurable neuropathologies. In this study, researchers successfully established a human retinal organoid system that replicates various aspects of the human retina, including those within the macula. By combining TNF and HBEGF, the researchers induced the degeneration of photoreceptors, glial pathologies, dyslamination, and scar formation, uncovering a previously unknown pathomechanism. This research could have significant implications for age-related macular degeneration and other related diseases, offering potential therapeutic approaches.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Karen Tessmer, Sylvia Jane Gasparini, Miriam Reh, Stephanie Wieneke, Madalena Carido, Manuela Voelkner, Oliver Borsch, Anka Swiersy, Marta Zuzic, Olivier Goureau, Thomas Kurth, Volker Busskamp, Guenther Zeck, Mike O. Karl, Marius Ader
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sylvia J. Gasparini, Karen Tessmer, Miriam Reh, Stephanie Wieneke, Madalena Carido, Manuela Voelkner, Oliver Borsch, Anka Swiersy, Marta Zuzic, Olivier Goureau, Thomas Kurth, Volker Busskamp, Gunther Zeck, Mike O. Karl, Marius Ader
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful incorporation of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human photoreceptors into mice with cone dysfunction, showing promising potential for the treatment of blinding diseases.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Sylvia Jane Gasparini, Karen Tessmer, Madalena Carido, Oliver Borsch, Stephanie Wieneke, Anka Kempe, Marta Zusic, Manuela Volkner, Mike O. Karl, Volker Busskamp, Marius Ader
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Marta Zuzic, Anka Kempe, Mike O. Karl, Volker Busskamp
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2019)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Giovanni Pasquini, Anka Kempe, Mike O. Karl, Knut Stieger, Volker Busskamp
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2019)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Marta Zuzic, Stephanie Wieneke, Anka Kempe, Volker Busskamp, Mike Karl
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2018)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Dirk Sandner, Marlene Stein, Dierk Wittig, Seba Almedawar, Helmut Sachs, Martin Scharffenberg, Roland Jung, Lutz Pillunat, Elly Tanaka, Mike O. Karl, Marius Ader
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2018)