Non-Invasive Cell-Based Therapy for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy

Abstract

Traumatic optical neuropathy (TON) results from trauma to optic nerve by head and eye injuries to both military and civilian population such as accidents, and blast related combat trauma. TON leads to irreversible blindness and represent a major public health burden with both economical and social impacts. Unfortunately, treatment is still rather limited. A large body of evidence indicates that TON affects optic nerve and its target neurons in the central nervous system, which provide vital retrograde trophic support to optic nerve. We hypothesize that systemic administration of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to treat traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) will preserve/repair optic nerve, stabilize the unstable environment due to trauma and promote RGC regeneration and outgrowth by promoting the release of paracrine and autocrine mediators; induced Schwann cells from MSC (M-Sch) will repair the damaged RGC by remyelinating and providing multiple trophic factors. We have used Long Evan (LE) rats as a model for TON, MSC were isolated from LE rats, M-Sch were induced from MSC. Our main findings: 1. Using our modified forceps, a reliable and reproducible TON model was created. 2. Rat MSC and M-Sch were reliable produced for experiments. 3. Systemic administration of MSC significantly preserved retinal ganglion cell survival after TON. 4. Systemic administration of MSC also promote limited RGC axons regeneration. 5. Local administration of M-Sch after TON also promote retinal ganglion cell survival. From the first year study, we have shown that systemic administration of MSC can significantly protect retinal ganglion cells after TON. Future study is under way to study combined local (M-Sch) and systemic MSC to promote RGC survival and axons regeneration; the mechanism of action of MSC in neuroprotection.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA606407

Entities

People

  • Shaomei Wang

Organizations

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Central Nervous System
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Eye Injuries
  • Medical Personnel
  • Nervous System
  • Neuropathy
  • Ophthalmology
  • Optic Nerve
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Public Health
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Retinal Diseases
  • Stem Cells
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Immunology and Pathology
  • Neuroscience

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology