Abstract
Purpose: :
The susceptibility of the eye to laser has resulted in a significant number of accidents in laboratories, industry, therapeutic procedures and military situations. Medical and surgical treatment is limited. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation for laser-induced retinal trauma. Survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation of BMSCs were examined in a mouse model of laser-induced retinal trauma.
Methods: :
In order to establish a model of laser-induced retinal trauma with photoreceptor cell death, TUNEL assay was performed to assess apoptosis. Quantum dot (QD)-labeled BMSCs were transplanted into the vitreous of laser injured retinas 24 hours post laser exposure, which is the peak of apoptotic photoreceptor cell death. Contralateral controls were generated by injecting saline into the laser injured retinas. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation was used to label the DNA of diving cells. Survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation of engrafted cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry at 2 and 4 weeks after transplantation.
Results: :
Intraocular transplanted QD-labeled BMSCs survived well in vivo. QD+ BMSCs preferably homed to the sites of laser injured retinas. Grafted QD+ cells migrated to neuroretina and subretinal space of injured retina including ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, photoreceptor cell layer, interphotoreceptor matrix, retina pigment epithelium and choroid. BrdU incorporation assay showed stem cell treatment greatly increased proliferation of retinal and subretinal elements in laser lesion sites. Moreover, engrafted QD+ cells expressed markers for endothelial cells, retina pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors.
Keywords: trauma • regeneration • immunohistochemistry