Adipose tissue stem cells will protect against blindness
Japanese researchers from Gifu University and Gifu University of Pharmacy have published data according to which mesenchymal adipose tissue stem cells synthesize the progranulin protein, which can prevent and even reverse light-induced retinal damage in mice.
Intense exposure to light on the retina of the eye leads to degeneration of photoreceptors. The results of a number of studies indicate that prolonged exposure to sunlight can contribute to the development of age-related macular degeneration, in which the gradual death of photoreceptors leads to complete and irreversible loss of vision.
According to the authors, earlier studies have demonstrated that injections of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells provide a certain degree of protection of the central nervous system from degeneration. As well as mesenchymal stem cells of bone marrow, mesenchymal stem cells of adipose tissue are capable of self-renewal and differentiation. However, the method of their isolation is much simpler and safer for the patient, and also allows you to get a large number of cells.
As part of the study, mesenchymal stem cells and mature adipocytes were isolated from the adipose tissue of mice. The isolated cells were cultured for 72 hours in a special medium, which, at the end of cultivation, was collected and added to the cultures of photoreceptors with hydrogen peroxide-induced and light damage, and also injected into the vitreous body of the eye of animals with light-induced retinal damage.
In cell culture, exposure to a medium containing factors secreted by mesenchymal stem cells significantly reduced the number of dying photoreceptors, which was not observed when adding a medium in which mature adipocytes were cultured to the culture. In the animal model, only the medium in which mesenchymal stem cells were cultured also had a positive effect. This was manifested by the suppression of photoreceptor degeneration and the development of retinal dysfunction.
The introduction of mesenchymal stem cells themselves into the vitreous body of the mouse model also restored the functionality of the retina and prevented thinning of its outer layer without engraftment of the injected cells.
The results of therapy in the animal model were evaluated on the 5th day after the procedure by recording an electroretinogram and measuring the thickness of the outer layer of the retina.
Further experiments have shown that the main humoral factor providing the observed effects is the protein progranulin secreted by the mesenchymal stem cells of adipose tissue. This protein triggers a number of signaling cascades providing neuroprotective action, which makes it a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of degenerative retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and hereditary retinal pigment degeneration.
Article by Kazuhiro Tsurumaa et al. Progranulin, a Major Secret Protein of Mouse Adipose-Derived Stem Cells, Inhibits Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration is published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru according to the materials of MedicalNewsToday:
Protein found in fat-derived stem cells could halt age-related retinal damage.
21.11.2013