Non-invasive electrical stimulation promotes photoreceptor survival and regeneration in mice with inherited photoreceptor degeneration

Abstract

Purpose : To test if electrositmulation (ES) protects photoreceptors from degeneration and induces photoreceptor regeneration by mobilizing retinal endogenous stem cells in retinal degenerated mice.

Methods : Transpalpebral ES or sham-stimulation was applied to mice carrying inherited retinal degeneration for 7 consecutive days at 5 min per day.The effect of ES on the retinal function of mice with retinal degeneration was tested using electroretinogram (ERG) and immunohistochemistry or histology analysis.

Results : Significant increase of ERG b wave amplitude was observed at the end of the 1st week post ES, this was maintained for 4 weeks compared with the sham-stimulated eyes. Significant preservation of photoreceptors and increase in proliferating cells in the retina were observed after ES. In purified Muller cell cultures, ES increased the expression of neurogenetic signals and photoreceptor progenitor markers and promoted cell proliferation and neurogenesis.

Conclusions : Transpalpebral ES promotes neuroprotective, regenerative, and repairing potentials of the retinal cells，suggesting the exciting possibility of using non-invasive ES as a versatile tool for preventing photoreceptor degeneration, potentially reversing vision loss in patients with RP.

This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.