Indian Journal of Ophthalmology (Jan 2022)

Therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in rats with optic nerve injury

  • Sook Y Looi,
  • Mae-Lynn C Bastion,
  • Sue N Leow,
  • Chi D Luu,
  • N M H Hairul,
  • Raduan Ruhaslizan,
  • Hon S Wong,
  • Abdul H Wan Haslina,
  • Min H Ng,
  • B Hj Idrus Ruszymah,
  • Kong Y Then

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/ijo.IJO_473_21
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 70, no. 1
pp. 201 – 209

Abstract

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Purpose: There are no effective treatments currently available for optic nerve transection injuries. Stem cell therapy represents a feasible future treatment option. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) transplantation in rats with optic nerve injury. Methods: Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups: a no-treatment control group (n = 6), balanced salt solution (BSS) treatment group (n = 6), and hUC-MSCs treatment group (n = 6). Visual functions were assessed by flash visual evoked potential (fVEP) at baseline, Week 3, and Week 6 after optic nerve crush injury. Right eyes were enucleated after 6 weeks for histology. Results: The fVEP showed shortened latency delay and increased amplitude in the hUC-MSCs treated group compared with control and BSS groups. Higher cellular density was detected in the hUC-MSC treated group compared with the BSS and control groups. Co-localized expression of STEM 121 and anti-S100B antibody was observed in areas of higher nuclear density, both in the central and peripheral regions. Conclusion: Peribulbar transplantation of hUC-MSCs demonstrated cellular integration that can potentially preserve the optic nerve function with a significant shorter latency delay in fVEP and higher nuclear density on histology, and immunohistochemical studies observed cell migration particularly to the peripheral regions of the optic nerve.

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