Magnetically Steered Cell Therapy For Functional Restoration Of Intraocular Pressure Control In Open-Angle Glaucoma
Year: 2024
Type: preprint
Abstract: Trabecular meshwork (TM) cell therapy has been proposed as a next-generation treatment for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma, the most common cause of irreversible blindness. Using a magnetic cell steering technique with excellent efficiency and tissue-specific targeting, we delivered two types of cells into a mouse model of glaucoma: either human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) or induced pluripotent cell derivatives (iPSC-TM cells). We observed a 4.5 [3.1, 6.0] mmHg or 27% reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) for nine months after a single dose of only 1500 magnetically-steered hAMSCs, associated with restoration of function to the conventional outflow pathway, as judged by increased outflow facility and TM cellularity. iPSC-TM cells were also effective, but less so, showing only a 1.9 [0.4, 3.3] mmHg or 13% IOP reduction and increased risk of tumorigenicity. In both cases, injected cells remained detectable in the iridocorneal angle three weeks post-transplantation. Based on the locations of the delivered cells, the mechanism of IOP lowering is most likely paracrine signaling. We conclude that magnetically-steered hAMSC cell therapy has potential for long-term treatment of ocular hypertension in glaucoma.
Source: eLife
Institutions: Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, University of Iowa, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City VA Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
OpenAlex ID: W4404813525