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Trans-Sclera Electrical Stimulation Improves Retinal Function in a Mouse Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa
Feng Liu1,2, Mengrong Zhang1, Guoyin Xiong3
1Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, 601 West Huangpu Ave., Guangzhou 510632, China.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 26, 2022
Summary
Repetitive trans-scleral electrical stimulation (TsES) shows promise for treating retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This study found TsES improved retinal function and photoreceptor survival in RP mouse models, offering a potential new therapeutic avenue.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited photoreceptor degenerating diseases with no effective treatments.
- Trans-corneal electrical stimulation offers neuroprotection but risks corneal injury.
- Trans-scleral electrical stimulation (TsES) presents an alternative, less invasive method to explore for RP treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of repetitive trans-scleral electrical stimulation (TsES) on degenerating retinas in rd10 mice, a model for retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
- To evaluate the impact of TsES on retinal morphology, function, and visual behavior.
- To determine optimal parameters for TsES in a preclinical RP model.
Main Methods:
- rd10 mice received daily or every-other-day trans-scleral electrical stimulation (TsES) for 30 minutes at 50 or 100 μA, or sham stimulation, from postnatal day 20 to 25.
- Retinal changes were assessed using immunostaining for photoreceptor survival, multi-electrode array (MEA) recordings for retinal ganglion cell activity, and a black-and-white transition box for visual behavior.
- Analysis focused on morphological preservation, light response modification, spontaneous firing rates, light sensitivity, and signal-to-noise ratios of retinal ganglion cells.
Main Results:
- TsES modulated retinal light responses and reduced high spontaneous firing rates in retinal ganglion cells.
- TsES at 100 μA, but not 50 μA, significantly increased the light sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratios of retinal ganglion cells.
- Photoreceptor survival was enhanced by 100 μA TsES, although visual behavior in rd10 mice did not improve.
- TsES demonstrated potential to improve retinal function during the early stages of degeneration.
Conclusions:
- Repetitive trans-scleral electrical stimulation (TsES) at 100 μA improves retinal function and enhances photoreceptor survival in rd10 mice, an animal model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
- TsES represents a promising, non-invasive therapeutic strategy to potentially delay retinal degeneration in RP patients.
- Further research is warranted to optimize TsES parameters and confirm its long-term efficacy and safety in clinical settings.
