Abstract
Purpose::
It has recently been shown that bone marrow cells can differentiate into various lineage cells including neural cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore it is an attractive therapeutic intervention to apply autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells that may offer neuroprotection to laser-induced retinal injuries. The purpose of this study is to develop a method with which to visualize bone marrow stem cells dynamics in mouse retinal circulation.
Methods::
We have used a physiological method, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, to track the highly enriched stem/progenitor cells circulating in the retina. Stem cells were enriched by immunomagnetic depletion of cells committed to the T- and B lymphocytic, myeloid and erythorid lineages. CellTracker Green-labeled stem cells were injected into the tail veins of mice with laser-induced retinal injuries.
Results::
Bone marrow stem cells labeled with CellTracker Green were visible in the retinal circulation for as long as 1 hour. Stem cells were sticking and traveled at considerably slower velocity at the capillaries close to the lesions.
Conclusions::
We have developed a technique that allows the visualization of transplanted stem cells in the retinal circulation of laser-injured retina. These studies suggest that stem cell-enriched bone marrow cells may have the ability to mobilize into laser-induced retinal injuries and possibly further proliferate, differentiate and functionally integrate into the retina.
Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • lesion study • neuroprotection