US researchers have developed a technique to ‘guide’ blood-derived stem cells to mouse retinas to replace retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) lost to glaucoma. 

Donor stem cells injected into the eye frequently remain at the site of injection, said the research team in PNAS. However, after examining hundreds of signalling molecules, known as chemokines, and their receptors, the team found 12 unique to RGCs, with stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF1) performing best in directing injected stem cells to the retina. Compared to injection without SDF1, this method effected a 2.7-fold increase in donor RGC migration into the ganglion cell layer, they said. 

“This method of using chemokines to guide donor cell movement and integration represents a promising approach to restoring vision in glaucoma patients,” said senior author Dr Petr Baranov of Massachusetts Eye and Ear. “It was an exciting journey to work with a team of talented scientists with unique expertise to develop novel techniques in this study to modify the local environment to guide cell behaviour – techniques that potentially be applied to treat other neurodegenerative conditions.” 

For more, see https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2302089120