Gliosis Can Impede Integration Following Photoreceptor Transplantation into the Diseased Retina

Abstract

Retinal degenerations leading to the loss of photoreceptor (PR) cells are a major cause of vision impairment and untreatable blindness. There are few clinical treatments and none can reverse the loss of vision. With the rapid advances in stem cell biology and techniques in cell transplantation, PR replacement by transplantation represents a broad treatment strategy applicable to many types of degeneration. The number of donor cells that integrate into the recipient retina determines transplantation success, yet the degenerating retinae presents a number of barriers that can impede effective integration. Here, we briefly review recent advances in the field of PR transplantation. We then describe how different aspects of gliosis may impact on cell integration efficiency.

Keywords: Barrier modulation; CSPG; GFAP; Gliosis; Intermediate filament; Müller glia; Photoreceptor transplantation.