Detection of Residual iPSCs Following Differentiation of iPSC-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.

The goal of this study was to develop a lot release assay for iPSC residuals following directed differentiation of iPSCs to retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. RNA Sequencing (RNA Seq) of iPSCs and RPE derived from them was used to identify pluripotency markers downregulated in RPE cells. Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) was then applied to assess iPSC residuals in iPSC-derived RPE.

Early Choriocapillaris Loss in a Porcine Model of RPE Cell Debridement Precedes Pathology That Simulates Advanced Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: No large-mammal surgical models exist for geographic atrophy (GA), choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and pachychoroidal vascular remodeling. Our goal was to develop a porcine RPE debridement model of advanced macular degeneration to study photoreceptor cell loss and choroidal remodeling.

Methods: Seven 2-month-old female domestic pigs were used for this study.

Direct early growth response-1 knockdown decreases melanoma viability independent of mitogen-activated extracellular signal-related kinase inhibition.

To investigate downstream molecular changes caused by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor treatment and further explore the impact of direct knockdown of early growth response-1 ( EGR1 ) in melanoma cell culture. RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed to determine gene expression changes with MEK inhibitor treatment. Treatment with MEK inhibitor (trametinib) was then assessed in two cutaneous (MEL888, MEL624) and one conjunctival (YUARGE 13-3064) melanoma cell line.

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor Modulation of Intraocular Pressure Is Independent of Soluble Adenylyl Cyclase.

We investigated whether a clinically used carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAIs) can modulate intraocular pressure (IOP) through soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) signaling. IOP was measured 1 h after topical treatment with brinzolamide, a topically applied and clinically used CAIs, using direct cannulation of the anterior chamber in sAC knockout (KO) mice or C57BL/6J mice in the presence or absence of the sAC inhibitor (TDI-10229). Mice treated with the sAC inhibitor TDI-10229 had elevated IOP.

Methodological Approach to Improve Surgical Outcomes of a Pig Subretinal Implantation Model.

Purpose: To improve outcomes for subretinal implantation surgery in pigs.

Methods: Analysis of variables affecting the success of subretinal implantation surgery was performed on videos of 37 surgeries. Ex vivo experiments were conducted to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) and test various prototyped implanters for effectiveness at maintaining IOP.