Recruitment of Stem Cells into the Injured Retina After Laser Injury

Retinal degeneration is a devastating complication of diabetes and other disorders. Stem cell therapy for retinal degeneration has shown encouraging results but functional regeneration has not been yet achieved. Our study was undertaken to evaluate the localization of stem cells delivered to the retina by intravenous versus intravitreal infusion, because stem cell localization is a key factor in ultimate in vivo function. We used lineage-negative bone marrow-derived stem cells in a model wherein retina of mice was induced by precise and reproducible laser injury. Lin(-ve) bone marrow cells (BMCs) were labeled with a tracking dye and their homing capacity was analyzed at time points after infusion. We found that Lin(-ve) BMCs get incorporated into laser-injured retina when transplanted through either the intravitreal or intravenous route. The intravenous route resulted in optimal localization of donor cells at the site of injury. These cells incorporated into injured retina in a dose-dependent manner. The data presented in this study reflect the importance of dose and route for stem cell-based treatment designed to result in retinal regeneration.