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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Partial Optic Nerve Transection in Rats: A Model Established with a New Operative Approach to Assess Secondary Degeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Partial Optic Nerve Transection in Rats: A Model Established with a New Operative Approach to Assess Secondary Degeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Published on: October 15, 2017

Human retinal organoids functionally bridge a transected optic nerve in a rat model.

Yu Gong¹, Huiyu Zhu¹, Lingling Ge¹

¹Department of Ophthalmology, University-Town Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, P.R. China.

|May 25, 2026

Summary

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Human retinal organoids transplanted into transected optic nerves in rats partially restored vision. This approach established a relay pathway, offering a new strategy for repairing severe optic nerve injuries.

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Regenerative Medicine
Ophthalmology

Background:

Functional vision restoration after optic nerve transection in adult mammals is currently not possible.
Optic nerve injuries can lead to permanent vision loss.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the potential of heterotopic human retinal organoid transplantation for vision restoration.
To establish a functional relay pathway across a completely transected optic nerve.

Main Methods:

Heterotopic transplantation of human retinal organoids into the optic nerve transection site in adult rats.
Assessment of visual function using pupillary light reflex, electrophysiology, and behavioral tests.
Neuroanatomical tracing and 3D imaging to analyze host-graft integration.

Keywords:

heterotopic transplantation human retinal organoids optic nerve injury and repair visual function restoration

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Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Published on: May 12, 2011

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Last Updated: May 27, 2026

Partial Optic Nerve Transection in Rats: A Model Established with a New Operative Approach to Assess Secondary Degeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Partial Optic Nerve Transection in Rats: A Model Established with a New Operative Approach to Assess Secondary Degeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Published on: October 15, 2017

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Published on: May 12, 2011

Chemogenetic manipulation to confirm graft functional engagement.

Main Results:

Partial recovery of visual function was observed in treated animals.
Restored visual functions included pupillary light reflex, visually evoked electrophysiological responses, and visually guided behaviors.
Host-graft coupling across the transection gap was confirmed by tracing and imaging.
Functional graft engagement was demonstrated by chemogenetic inhibition leading to vision attenuation.

Conclusions:

Heterotopic retinal organoid transplantation can create a relay pathway for partial signal transmission across a transected optic nerve.
This study provides proof of concept for a novel approach to repair severe optic nerve injuries.
Retinal organoid transplantation offers a promising alternative framework for vision restoration in cases of optic nerve damage.