scholarly journals Non-medical treatment for late age-related macular degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-219
Author(s):  
A.K. Drakon ◽  
◽  
A.G. Kurguzova ◽  
V.M. Sheludchenko ◽  
N.B. Korchazhkina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Age Related

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people over 55 in developed countries. Moreover, the number of these patients will increase growth as life expectancy increases. It is estimated that late AMD accounts for half of blindness and low vision cases in European countries. A myriad of studies is currently underway to discover cutting-edge, effective therapeutic modalities. Gene therapy is a novel alternative to regular intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents for late wet AMD. This technique’s heart is a specific gene delivery to target cells to generate natural VEGF inhibitors. Gene therapy affecting the complement system to deactivate its end product, the membrane attack complex, is reasonable in late atrophic AMD. Studies on stem cell therapy for late atrophic AMD undergo as well. It was demonstrated that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells express typical RPE markers that can phagocytize photoreceptor segments. Electrical stimulation and magnet therapy are already introduced into clinical practice to rehabilitate patients with late AMD. Magnetic and electrical fields improve impulse transmitting, activate intracellular and tissue regeneration of the retina. Recent findings are promising but require further in-depth studies. Keywords: age-related macular degeneration, retinal scar, gene therapy, stem cells, physiotherapy, rehabilitative medicine. For citation: Drakon A.K., Kurguzova A.G., Sheludchenko V.M., Korchazhkina N.B. Non-medical treatment for late age-related macular degeneration. Russian Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2021;21(4):215–219 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2311-7729-2021-21-4-215-219.

scholarly journals Choice of Cell Source in Cell-Based Therapies for Retinal Damage due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudhakar John ◽  
Sundaram Natarajan ◽  
Periyasamy Parikumar ◽  
Mahesh Shanmugam P ◽  
Rajappa Senthilkumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Retinal Neurons ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Cell Source

Background. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex disorder that affects primarily the macula involving the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) but also to a certain extent the photoreceptor layer and the retinal neurons. Cell transplantation is a promising option for AMD and clinical trials are underway using different cell types.Methods. We hypothesize that instead of focusing on a particular cell source for concurrent regeneration of all the retinal layers and also to prevent exhaustive research on an array of cell sources for regeneration of each layer, the choice should depend on, precisely, which layer is damaged.Results. Thus, for a damage limited to the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layer, the choice we suggest would be RPE cells. When the damage extends to rods and cones, the choice would be bone marrow stem cells and when retinal neurons are involved, relatively immature stem cell populations with an inherent capacity to yield neuronal lineage such as hematopoietic stem cells, embryonic stem cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells can be tried.Conclusion. This short review will prove to be a valuable guideline for those working on cell therapy for AMD to plan their future directions of research and therapy for this condition.

scholarly journals Stem cell-based technologies in treatment of age-related macular degeneration patients: current state of the problem

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-41
Author(s):  
Kirill Yu. Gayduk ◽  
Sergey V. Churashov ◽  
Alexey N. Kulikov
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Antiangiogenic Therapy ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Treatment Methods ◽  
Age Related

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common disease of the macula the area responsible for central vision. With regard to the pathogenesis of AMD, the main focus of most researchers is on the pathological processes occurring in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which is considered as the main target of the disease. For the treatment of the dry form of the disease, which accounts for about 90% of all AMD cases, up to now no effective treatment methods were elaborated, while in the therapy of the wet form, antiangiogenic therapy, photodynamic therapy, and surgical treatment methods have been used with concrete success. Stem cells, possessing enormous therapeutic potential, are gradually being introduced into medical technologies, including ophthalmology. A number of pre-clinical studies have proven the safety of using cultured cells of the RPE, which gave rise to the beginning of clinical trials of the use of stem cells in the treatment of AMD patients. The review analyzes the data of scientific literature on the current understanding of the pathogenesis of AMD, pathogenetically substantiated therapies, including those using cell-based technologies, prospects and problems of using stem cells in the treatment of AMD patients.

scholarly journals Trends of Stem Cell Therapies in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1785
Author(s):  
Tadao Maeda ◽  
Sunao Sugita ◽  
Yasuo Kurimoto ◽  
Masayo Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Stem Cell Therapies ◽  
Cell Therapies ◽  
Age Related

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a highly prevalent irreversible impairment in the elderly population worldwide. Stem cell therapies have been considered potentially viable for treating AMD through the direct replacement of degenerated cells or secretion of trophic factors that facilitate the survival of existing cells. Among them, the safety of pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell transplantation against AMD, and some hereditary retinal degenerative diseases, has been discussed to a certain extent in clinical studies of RPE cell transplantation. Preparations are in progress for its clinical application. On the other hand, clinical trials using somatic stem cells are also being conducted, though these had controversial outcomes. Retinal regenerative medicine using stem cells is expected to make steady progress toward practical use while new technologies are incorporated from various fields, thereby making the role of ophthalmologists in this field increasingly important.

scholarly journals Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS): Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Medicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Jeffrey N. Weiss ◽  
Steven Levy
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dry Amd

Background: Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss in older patients. The macula accumulates drusen with loss of retinal pigment epithelial cells and photoreceptors. Abnormal subretinal neovascularization is absent. There is no effective drug therapy for dry AMD and a large proportion of patients progress to legal blindness from macular atrophy. The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS) was conducted to assess the effect of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) on dry AMD and other retinal and optic nerve diseases. Methods: Thirty-two eyes were treated with BMSC per the protocols in SCOTS. Provision of BMSCs in Arm 1 was via retrobulbar (RB), sub-tenons (ST) and intravenous (IV); Arm 2 via intravitreal, RB, ST and IV; Arm 3 via subretinal and IV. Patient age averaged 78 years old and ranged from 69 to 90. Visual acuity preoperatively ranged from counting fingers to 20/50-2 with an average preoperative LogMAR of 1.125. Results: Following treatment, 20 of 32 (63%) of eyes experienced improvement in visual acuity averaging 27.6% on LogMAR and ranging from 2.5% to 44.6%. The mean improvement in LogMAR was 0.963 with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.42. The visual acuity remained stable in 34% of treated eyes. One eye continued to worsen as a consequence of disease progression. The results showed high statistical significance with p ≤ 0.001. The procedures were conducted safely, and no complications were observed. Conclusion: Treatment of dry AMD with BMSC using the protocols developed in the SCOTS clinical trial has shown statistically significant clinical benefit improving visual acuity and potentially delaying visual loss in the disease.

scholarly journals Investigation of Differentiated Embryonic Stem Cells Growth on Optimized Porous Polymeric Bed with Fuzzy System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleheh Shahmoradi ◽  
Fatemeh Yazdian ◽  
Amin Janghorbani ◽  
Leila Satarian ◽  
Farnaz Behroozi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Retinal Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells ◽  
Epithelium Cells

Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the retina diseases in which retinal pigment epithelium cells are degraded and lead to blindness. Available treatments only slow down the progression of it. In this study, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiated into retinal pigment epithelium cells were cultured on a polycaprolactone scaffold. Methods: The optimization of the diameter of the produced scaffolds by electrospinning method was done using the fuzzy method for the first time. To improve cell adhesion and proliferation, related parameters to alkaline hydrolysis method were optimized and hydrophobic surface of scaffold was modified. After in vitro analysis, cells were cultured on different groups of scaffolds. In vivo analyses were done and cells culture on scaffolds observed. Results: The optimal parameters for the scaffold based on the fuzzy model were 18.1 kV for voltage, 0.07 g / ml for solution concentration and 115 nm for scaffold diameter, respectively. The immersion time of the scaffold in alkaline solution and concentration of solution were measured 97 min and 3.7 M, respectively. The treated scaffold had a higher degradation rate and water adsorption. MTT-Assay results showed that scaffolds with modified surfaces had a higher amount of cell viability and proliferation after 7 days. SEM image results confirmed this finding after almost two months. Additionally, the results of ICC test showed that after passing this time, cells kept their RPE and epithelium. Conclusion: Based on the results, the hydrolyzed scaffold is a suitable substrate for cell proliferation and can be a good option for AMD treatment.

scholarly journals Bioprinted 3D Outer Retina Barrier Uncovers RPE-dependent Choroidal Phenotype in Advanced Macular Degeneration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kapil Bharti ◽  
Min Jae Song ◽  
Russell Quinn ◽  
Eric Nguyen ◽  
Tea Soon Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Tissue Integration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dry Amd ◽  
Barrier Resistance ◽  
Wet Amd

Abstract Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness, initiates in the outer-blood-retina-barrier (oBRB) formed by Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch’s membrane, and choriocapillaris. The mechanism of AMD initiation and progression remain poorly understood due to the lack of physiologically relevant oBRB models. We engineered a native-like 3D-oBRB tissue by bioprinting endothelial cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts on the basal side of a biodegradable scaffold and establishing an RPE monolayer on top. In this 3D-oBRB, a fully-polarized RPE monolayer with apical processes and basal infoldings provides barrier resistance, induces fenestration and choroid-specific gene expression in the choriocapillaris, and supports the formation of a Bruch’s-like membrane that allows tissue integration in rat eyes. Complement activation in the 3D-oBRB triggers dry-AMD phenotypes (including subRPE drusen and choriocapillaris degeneration), and hypoxia activated HIF-α induces wet-AMD phenotypes (choriocapillaris neovascularization). Anti-VEGF drug treatment suppresses neovascularization - validating this model for clinical translation and drug discovery.

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