Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a potent multifunctional protein that inhibits angiogenesis and has neurogenic and neuroprotective properties. Since the wet form of age-related macular degeneration is characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV), PEDF would be an ideal candidate to inhibit CNV and support retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. However, its short half-life has precluded its clinical use. To deliver PEDF to the subretinal space, we transfected RPE cells with the PEDF gene using the Sleeping Beauty transposon system. Transfected cells expressed and secreted biologically active recombinant PEDF (rPEDF). In cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, rPEDF reduced VEGF-induced cumulative sprouting by ≥47%, decreased migration by 77%, and increased rate of apoptosis at least 3.4 times. rPEDF induced neurite outgrowth in neuroblastoma cells and protected ganglion and photoreceptor cells in organotypic retinal cultures. In a rat model of CNV, subretinal transplantation of PEDF-transfected cells led to a reduction of the CNV area by 48% 14 days after transplantation and decreased clinical significant lesions by 55% and 40% after 7 and 14 days, respectively. We showed that transplantation of pigment epithelial cells overexpressing PEDF can restore a permissive subretinal environment for RPE and photoreceptor maintenance, while inhibiting choroidal blood vessel growth.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/863845 | DOI Listing |
J Ethnopharmacol
January 2025
Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Master Program of Pharmaceutical Manufacture, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan. Electronic address:
Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Kochiae Fructus, the ripe fruit of Kochia scoparia, is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used to treat eye discomforts and vision problems. Although Kochiae Fructus is mentioned in many classical Chinese medical texts, its protective effects and the roles of its active phytochemicals in eye treatment still lack scientific exploration.
Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to clarify the protective effects and identify the active fractions and compounds of Kochiae Fructus against oxidative stress-induced retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death.
Int J Mol Med
March 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China.
Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells undergoing epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) are a key factor in promoting the progression of subretinal fibrosis. The klotho protein and gene exert anti‑fibrotic effects in multiple fibrotic diseases. However, the mechanisms involved in the role of klotho are unclear in subretinal fibrosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
Epithelial‒mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is believed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). The ability of Hirudo to promote blood flow and dispel blood stasis may be related to its anti-EMT effects. Through the use of a network pharmacology method, the mechanism by which Hirudo treats PVR was investigated in this study, and the findings were confirmed through in vitro cellular tests.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStargardt disease is a currently untreatable, inherited neurodegenerative disease that leads to macular degeneration and blindness due to loss-of-function mutations in the ABCA4 gene. We have designed a dual adeno-associated viral vector encoding a split-intein adenine base editor to correct the most common mutation in ABCA4 (c.5882G>A, p.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExp Eye Res
January 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, China. Electronic address:
Senescent retinal pigment epithelial cells play a key role in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD); however, the mechanisms underlying the angiogenic ability of these cells remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the effects of the senescent adult retinal pigment epithelial cell line-19 (ARPE-19) on wound healing, cell migration and survival, and tube formation abilities of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Additionally, we used Brown Norway rats to establish a laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model for further nAMD-related studies.
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