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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
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Subretinal Transplantation of MACS Purified Photoreceptor Precursor Cells into the Adult Mouse Retina
Published on: February 22, 2014
Intraretinal processing following photoreceptor rescue by non-retinal cells.
I Pinilla1, N Cuenca, G Martínez-Navarrete
1Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Instituto Aragones de Ciencias de la Salud, Spain.
Vision Research
|June 6, 2009
Summary
Introducing Schwann cells to Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) rats preserves vision and retinal structure by supporting photoreceptor survival, offering a potential new therapy for retinal degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) rats exhibit retinal degeneration due to defective retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell phagocytosis.
- This defect leads to the accumulation of shed photoreceptor outer segments and subsequent vision loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of subretinal Schwann cell transplantation in RCS rats.
- To evaluate the impact of Schwann cells on retinal function and morphology before the onset of degeneration.
Main Methods:
- Schwann cells were injected into the subretinal space of RCS rats prior to retinal degeneration.
- Electroretinogram (ERG) recordings were used to assess retinal function.
- Retinal morphology was analyzed to evaluate structural integrity.
Main Results:
- Cell-injected eyes demonstrated preserved scotopic and photopic electroretinogram (ERG) amplitudes, including mixed a-wave, rod b-wave, and cone b-wave responses.
- Improved critical flicker fusion was observed in treated eyes.
- Histological analysis revealed normal retinal morphology in areas with cell engraftment.
Conclusions:
- Subretinal Schwann cell transplantation preserves retinal function and structure in RCS rats.
- The therapeutic effect is likely mediated by paracrine mechanisms, promoting photoreceptor survival rather than phagocytosis.
- Schwann cells represent a promising cell-based therapy for inherited retinal degenerations.
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