The discovery that the adult brain harbors stem cells that sustain neurogenesis throughout life has opened the possibility of treating degenerative changes from within by recruiting endogenous progenitors. This concept of therapeutic regeneration appeared remote for Retinal Degeneration because active neurogenesis has not been detected in the adult mammalian retina. However, neurogenic changes have been observed in injured adult retina, and the source of injury-induced neurogenesis is traced to Müller glia (MG). This and our recent observations that a subset of MG have evolutionarily conserved neural stem cell (NSC) properties posit these cells as a valid source of adult neurogenesis and therefore a target for therapeutic regeneration in intractable degenerative blinding diseases such as age-related macular Degeneration (AMD). This approach could potentially address significant barriers, such as the lack of a renewable source of cells that are non-immunogenic and non-tumorigenic, which currently rendersex vivo cell therapy approach less pratical.

The identification and characterization of Retinal progenitors with stem cell properties has opened new avenues that may be useful for treating functional impairments caused by the death of specific neural cell populations in the retina. Neuronal Degeneration is the cause of debilitating visual impairment associated with prevalent ocular diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), age-related macular Degeneration (AMD), Retinal detachment, and glaucoma. Retinal stem cells/progenitors may help to restore vision in patients who have these diseases by repopulating the damaged retina and/or by rescuing Retinal neurons from further Degeneration by ex-vivo cell therapy. However there are barriers to this approach, which primarily include sources of cells that can sustain a practical clinical use, free from immunogenic responses, tumor formation, and ethical burden. Significant progress has been made to overcome these barriers.

Introduction: Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) layer deterioration is a leading cause of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), i. e., the most significant reason for irreversible blindness. The present study aimed to track the Neurosphere-Derived (NS) from Bone Marrow Stromal Stem Cells (BMSCs) grafted into the sub-Retinal space (destruction of the RPE layer by sodium iodate). Methods: RPE Degeneration model was performed using the injection of 5% sodium iodate performed in the retro-orbital sinus of Wistar rats. BMSCs were extracted from the examined rat femur and induced into NS, using EGF, bFGF, and B27. BrdU-NS labeled cells were transplanted into the sub-Retinal space. For detecting BMSCs and NS markers, immunocytochemistry was performed. Moreover, immunohistochemical was conducted for tracking the transplanted cells in the RPE and sensory retina. Results: The immunocytochemistry of BMSCs cells displayed the expression of mesenchymal stem cells markers (CD90,99%±, 1), CD166 (98%±, 2), CD44 (99%±, 1). Additionally, the expression of neural lineage markers in NS, such as SOX2, OCT4, Nanog, Nestin, and Neurofilaments (68, 160, 200) revealed the differentiation from BMSCs. Tracking BrdU-NS labeled suggested these aggregations in most layers of the retina. Conclusion: Our study data indicated that BMSCs derived neurosphere had the potential to migrate in injured Retinal and integrate into the neurosensory retina. These data can be useful in finding safe cells for replacement therapy in AMD.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the Retinal degenerative diseases associated with some degree of dysfunction and loss of Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (RPE) cells and leads to permanent sight loss. Available treatments only slow down its progression. Applying a scaffold to help RPE cells proliferation and make layers has been proposed as a promising approach to treat this group of diseases. In this study, a fuzzy system was used to optimize the situation of making a scaffold. For better adhesion and proliferation of cells, the polycaprolactone scaffold's surface was modified by alkaline hydrolysis and plasma. Some analyses, such as water uptake and biodegradation rate, were done. Then, differentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were cultured on several groups of scaffolds. Finally, the viability, proliferation, and morphology of differentiated hESC-RPE cells on all groups of the scaffolds were investigated. The nanofibers' diameter was minimized by optimizing voltage and solution concentration with a fuzzy model for the first time, which obtained 110. 5 nm, 18. 9 kV, and 0. 065 g/mL (w/v), respectively. The immersion time of the scaffold in alkaline solution and solution concentration during surface modification were achieved 4. 3 M and 104 minutes, respectively, by response surface methodology. Results of the MTT assay showed that the hydrolyzed group had a high proliferation of cells. Scanning electron microscopy observation of cell morphology after 60 days confirmed this result. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the hydrolyzed scaffold is a suitable bed for cell proliferation, a good option for AMD treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate reading performance in different preferred Retinal loci (PRLs) using a Persian version of a Minnesota Low Vision Reading (MNREAD) chart in Persian‑ speaking patients with age‑ related macular Degeneration (AMD). Methods: In this cross‑ sectional study, 35 patients with AMD were assessed. The reading performance was investigated by the MNREAD chart without using low vision aids. The location of PRL was determined monocularly using an MP1 microperimeter (Nidek Technologies, Padua, Italy). The anatomical location of the fovea was determined using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Images were taken with the MP1 microperimeter, and Spectralis HRA-OCT device was processed using graphic software to determine the location of the PRL on the retina. Results: Thirty‑ five patients (51 eyes) with a mean age of 73. 8 ± 7. 7 years (range, 54– 88 years) were assessed. Mean best corrected distance visual acuity (logMAR) was 0. 65 ± 0. 35 (range, 0. 2– 1. 3). Mean levels of reading acuity (RA) (P = 0. 009) and critical print size (CPS) (P = 0. 015) were significantly different in different locations of PRL. Average scores of maximum reading speed (MRS) (P = 0. 058) and reading accessibility index (ACC) (P = 0. 058) were not statistically significant in different locations of PRL. There was a positive correlation between PRL‑ fovea distance and RA (P ˂ 0. 001, r = 0. 591) and CPS (P ˂ 0. 001, r = 0. 614). Significant negative correlations were observed between PRL‑ fovea distance and MRS (P ˂ 0. 001, r = − 0. 519) and ACC (P ˂ 0. 001, r = − 0. 545). Conclusions: This study provides evidence for differences in the reading performance of Persian‑ speaking patients with AMD in different PRL locations. The average scores of all reading indices obtained in the right‑ field PRL are lower than those in other areas and are highly correlated with the PRL-fovea distance.