Abstract
Purpose :
Evidence is emerging that non-invasive electrostimulation (ES) improves visual function in certain untreatable blinding conditions, such as retinitis pigmentosa and optic nerve trauma. Our previous study suggests that this effect of ES may associate with its ability to promote the proliferative potential of Muller glia (MG). We here examined the optimized ES condition that drives the intracellular events and gene expression of Muller glia towards a progenitor like state to promote their regenerative potential
Methods :
Retinal cells isolated from neonatal B6 mice aged postnatal day 6-7 (P6-7) were dissociated with papain and incubated for 14 days in DMEM/F12. Muller glia were then seeded on a poly-D-lysine coated cover glass. ES of 4 different parameters (frequency, current, duration and waveform), each with 4 different conditions were applied. Proliferation of MG was quantified by 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation and immunohistochemistry. MG expression and induction of progenitor cell genes were assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
Results :
We found that among the different waveforms, negative ramp of ES was most effective and induced a nearly 2-fold increase in MG proliferation as compared to controls. Moreover, variations of ES frequency and current also showed significant impacts on MG proliferation, gene expression, and their progenitor cell potential
Conclusions :
ES, particularly the ramp stimulation, enhances the proliferative and progenitor cell potential of MG. Our results suggest the possibility of manipulating MG behavior and neuroregeneration by ES. Further studies are needed to uncover the underlying mechanisms of ES-induced cellular changes.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.