Figure 2.
iNPC-GDNFs are neuroprotective in the RCS rat model of retinal degeneration
(A) Schematic of experiment RCS rats (n = 13) that received subretinal injection of iNPC-GDNFs at postnatal day (P) 21–23. The fellow eye received either balanced salt solution injection (sham, n = 4) or no treatment (n = 9).
(B and C) Visual function was evaluated by (B) OKR and (C) ERG, which showed significant preservation in cell-treated compared with control animals (∗∗∗∗p < 0.0001, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD, ns: not significant).
(D and E) Cresyl violet-stained retinal images show photoreceptor preservation in (D) iNPC-GDNF-treated retina with potential grafted cells (arrowheads), compared with (E) sham. d1, d2, e1, and e2 are high-power images from areas in boxed outlines.
(F) Percent of retina with at least two layers of photoreceptors in iNPC-GDNF-treated vs. sham (∗∗∗p < 0.001 via unpaired t test with Welch’s correction).
(G) Staining with human nuclear marker MAB1281 shows extensive distribution of grafted iNPC-GDNFs; g1 and g2 are high-power images from areas in boxed outlines.
(H) Synaptophysin and cone arrestin staining show cones with segments and pedicles (arrowheads) were preserved in cell-treated retina compared with controls.
(I) GFAP staining shows reactive Müller glia in controls and cell-treated retina, GFAP labels iNPC-GDNFs, and host Müller glia (stars, arrows point to Müller glial end feet). Scale bars represent (D, E, and G) 500 μm and (H and I) 75 μm. INL, inner nuclear layer; IPL, inner plexiform layer; ONL, outer nuclear layer. d1, e1, and g1 indicate regions near injection site, d2, e2, and g2 indicate regions distal from injection site.
See also Figure S2.