A new approach of Biosynthetic hydrogel scaffolds for retinal photoreceptor cells regeneration in Rat
Hanieh HabibzadehShojaee1 , Mohammad Reza Nourani2 *
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
- Tissue Engineering Division, Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: Retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt disease, and retinitis pigmentosa are phenotypically diverse that leads to photoreceptor cell death. Retinal degeneration is difficult to treat, so damaged tissues or organs have to be replaced with artificial devices, autologous grafts and donor organs. In this investigation, we suggest a contingency approach for the treatment of retina tissue with differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to rhodopsin in hydrogel scaffold.
Methods: Our hypothesis indicate that using mesenchymal stem cells can be a promising strategy for the treatment of AMD and damaged photoreceptor. First of all, rats retina damaged by intravitreal sodium iodate and after confirmation the retinal damage, Stem cells were injected into the intravitreal retinal space with hydrogel scaffold and the cells migrate to the site of retinal degeneration and are located in the host’s retinal area.
Results: In our case study, demolition photoreceptor layer of retinal tissue in the Rat was used, tissue regeneration could be promoted by inserting an appropriate biomaterial hydrogel and using mesenchymal stem cells to prevent undesirable rapidly damaged photoreceptor cells and it is expected to be repaired by mimicking the regulatory function of growth factors.
Conclusion: Sodium iodate injection into intravitreal space of rats leads to severe retina injury followed by vision impairment, and subsequently to using of mesenchymal stem cells have been suggested as promising for the treatment of degenerative disorders. This model may serve as a useful tool for seeking and evaluating novel therapeutic modalities for the treatment of retinal degenerations.
