Activated Omental Stromal Cells Protect Against Light-Induced Retinal Injury

Abstract

 

Purpose:

 

The therapeutic potential of stem cell transplantation in retinal disease has yet to be fully realized. The omentum is known to have anti-inflammatory and tissue healing properties, and is an easily accessible source of pluripotent cells. In this study, we investigate the effect of Omental Stromal Cell (OSC) transplantation on electroretinographic (ERG) return of function after light-inducted retinal injury.

 

Methods:

 

Photoinjury was induced in BALB/c mice via cool white light exposure (6000 lux for 4 hours). OSCs were isolated from a separate group of donor mice by intraperitoneal injection of a poly-acrylamide bead slurry and collagenase I digestion. Immediately following light-induced retinal injury, mice were injected intraperitoneally with 4 x 10⁶ OSCs or an equal volume of sterile saline. Retinal function was determined by relative changes in ERG responses from dark-adapted mice assessed prior to and 6 days after light-induced retinal injury.

 

Results:

 

Prior to light-induced retinal injury, ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes from the control and OSC-treated groups were 445.7 ± 27.9 μV and 980.4 ± 54.5 μV; 477.6 ± 6.6 μV and 1023.1 ± 62.6 μV, respectively. After light-induced retinal injury, ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes in control-treated mice were 74.2 ± 9.3 μV and 164.8 ± 37.3 μV, respectively. By comparison, post-photoinjury ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes in OSC-treated mice were 127.2 ± 16.4 μV and 323.2 ± 44.6 μV, respectively.

 

Conclusions:

 

Light-induced retinal injury causes a significant reduction in scotopic ERG responses. Intraperitoneal injection of activated OSCs partially protects against a net reduction of retinal function, as indicated by the differences in ERG amplitudes as compared to control eyes. These preliminary findings show that omental cell transplantation may possess therapeutic potential in the treatment of retinal disease.

 

Keywords: electroretinography: non-clinical • retina • injection