Abstract
As part of the central nervous system, mammalian retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) lack significant regenerative capacity. Glaucoma causes progressive and irreversible vision loss by damaging RGCs and their axons, which compose the optic nerve. To functionally restore vision, lost RGCs must be replaced. Despite tremendous advancements in experimental models of optic neuropathy that have elucidated pathways to induce endogenous RGC neuroprotection and axon regeneration, obstacles to achieving functional visual recovery through exogenous RGC transplantation remain. Key challenges include poor graft survival, low donor neuron localization to the host retina, and inadequate dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis with afferent amacrine and bipolar cells. In this review, we summarize the current state of experimental RGC transplantation, and we propose a set of standard approaches to quantifying and reporting experimental outcomes in order to guide a collective effort to advance the field toward functional RGC replacement and optic nerve regeneration.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Article number | 1426 |
Journal | Cells |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2021 |
Keywords
- Cell replacement
- Engraftment
- Functional integration
- Neuron
- Optic nerve
- Regeneration
- Regenerative medicine
- Retinal ganglion cell
- Stem cells
- Transplantation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine