Functional Efficacy of Intravitreal Dental Pulp Stem Cells versus Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell–Conditioned Media in Experimental Retinal Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal dental pulp stem cell-conditioned medium (DPSC-CM) versus human umbilical vein endothelial cell-CM (HUVEC-CM) in preserving retinal function after ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rabbits. Design: Experimental animal study. Subjects: Eighteen rabbits subjected to retinal IRI and randomized to receive intravitreal injections of DPSC-CM, HUVEC-CM, or balanced salt solution (BSS) (n = 6 per group). Intervention: After induction of retinal IRI, rabbits received intravitreal injections of DPSC-CM, HUVEC-CM, or BSS. Electroretinography (ERG) was performed 7 days postinjection to assess retinal function, measuring both dark-adapted (DA) and light-adapted (LA) responses. Main Outcome Measures: Preservation of a-wave and b-wave amplitudes on ERG as indicators of photoreceptor (PR) and bipolar cell function, respectively. Results: < 0.05). Dental pulp stem cell-conditioned medium demonstrated superior preservation of a-wave amplitudes, indicating enhanced PR function. Both treatments also maintained LA ERG responses. Transient mucopurulent discharge in 2 DPSC-CM-treated rabbits and a localized posterior subcapsular opacity in one BSS-treated rabbit were observed; all resolved without sequelae. Conclusions: Intravitreal DPSC-CM and HUVEC-CM are effective in preserving retinal function after IRI, with DPSC-CM showing particular advantage in PR protection. These results support further investigation into DPSC-CM and HUVEC-CM as potential therapies for retinal ischemic conditions, such as retinal artery occlusion and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Financial Disclosures: The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Source: Ophthalmology Science
Institution: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
OpenAlex ID: W4415958738