The discovery of a new treatment for vision loss and eye disorders has brought hope to millions of people worldwide. Researchers have successfully created a method to grow retinal endothelial cells in the lab, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches.
According to the study, retinal vascular diseases affect millions of people, but a limited understanding of the condition hinders the development of new treatments. The researchers used human stem cells to generate the cells found in retinal blood vessels, which are crucial for controlling what goes in and out of the retina.
The retina has a blood barrier that controls the flow of oxygen, nutrients, water, and pharmaceuticals. However, this barrier also makes treating the retina difficult, as it prevents certain cells and tissues from growing or healing. The researchers have found a way to overcome this barrier by growing retinal endothelial cells in the lab.
The team used a well-established procedure to grow common endothelial cells from commercial iPSCs. They then used a cocktail of growth factors to get the cells to grow into the specific type of endothelial cells found in the retina. The researchers successfully created lab-grown tissues that formed the same networks and structures as those found in the body.
The lab-grown tissues were subjected to low oxygen and high glucose levels, which are detrimental conditions often seen in people with diabetic retinopathy. The researchers found that the tissue barrier broke down under these conditions, just like it does in patients. However, when the cells were injected into mice before any vision loss occurred, they successfully integrated into the existing tissue and helped develop strong blood vessels with strong barriers.
The study's first co-author, Parker Esswein, said that the lab-grown cells have promise for preventative treatments, especially since they should be easier and cheaper to obtain using their technique. The team is now planning to explore potential uses for their retinal endothelial cells in their laboratory and through emerging industry partnerships.
The researchers have a patent pending that covers both the stem cell-based therapeutics and in vitro modelling for drug discovery and testing. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for a range of eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, which is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age people in the United States.
