Heuy-Ching Wang

Transplantation of quantum dot-labelled bone marrow-derived stem cells into the vitreous of mice with laser-induced retinal injury: survival, integration and differentiation.

Accidental laser exposure to the eyes may result in serious visual impairment due to retina degeneration. Currently limited treatment is available for laser eye injury. In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) for laser-induced retinal trauma. Lineage negative bone marrow cells (Lin(-) BMCs) were labelled with quantum dots (Qdots) to track the cells in vivo. Lin(-) BMCs survived well after intravitreal injection. In vivo bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling showed these cells continued to proliferate and integrate into injured retinas. Furthermore, they expressed markers that distinguished retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), endothelium, pericytes and photoreceptors. Our results suggest that BMSCs participate in the repair of retinal lesions by differentiating into retinal cells. Intravitreal transplantation of BMSCs is a potential treatment for laser-induced retinal trauma.

Pathophysiology of blast‐induced ocular trauma in rats after repeated exposure to low‐level blast overpressure

The incidence of blast‐induced ocular injury has dramatically increased due to advances in weaponry and military tactics. A single exposure to blast overpressure (BOP) has been shown to cause damage to the eye in animal models; however, on the battlefield, military personnel are exposed to BOP multiple times. The effects of repeated exposures to BOP on ocular tissues have not been investigated. The purpose of this study is to characterize the effects of single or repeated exposure on ocular tissues.

Secretion Profile of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium During Wound Healing

Purpose The purpose of this study was to characterize the secretion profile of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (iPS-RPE) during wound healing. iPS-RPE was used to develop an in vitro wound healing model. We hypothesized that iPS-RPE secretes cytokines and growth factors which act in an autocrine manner to promote migration and proliferation of cells during wound healing. Methods iPS-RPE was grown in transwells until fully confluent and pigmented. The monolayers were scratched to induce a wound. Levels of Ki-67, β-catenin, e-cadherin, n-cadherin, and S100A4 expression were analyzed by immunofluorescent labeling. Cell culture medium samples were collected from both the apical and basolateral sides of the transwells every 72 hours for 21 days. The medium samples were analyzed using multiplex ELISA to detect secreted growth factors and cytokines. The effects of conditioned medium on collagen gel contraction, cell proliferation, and migration were measured. Results iPS-RPE underwent epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during wound healing as indicated by the translocation of β-catenin to the nucleus, cadherin switch, and expression of S100A4. GRO, GM-CSF, MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8 were secreted by both the control and the wounded cell cultures. VEGF, FGF-2, and TGFβ expression were detected at higher levels after wounding than those in control. The proteins were found to be secreted in a polarized manner. The conditioned medium from wounded monolayers promoted collagen gel contraction, as well as proliferation and migration of ARPE 19 cells. Conclusions These results indicate that after the monolayer is wounded, iPS-RPE secretes proteins into the culture medium that promote increased proliferation, contraction, and migration.

Deriving retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells by different sizes of embryoid bodies.

Pluripotent stem cells possess the ability to proliferate indefinitely and to differentiate into almost any cell type. Additionally, the development of techniques to reprogram somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has generated interest and excitement towards the possibility of customized personal regenerative medicine. However, the efficiency of stem cell differentiation towards a desired lineage remains low. The purpose of this study is to describe a protocol to derive retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from iPS cells (iPS-RPE) by applying a tissue engineering approach to generate homogenous populations of embryoid bodies (EBs), a common intermediate during in vitro differentiation. The protocol applies the formation of specific size of EBs using microwell plate technology. The methods for identifying protein and gene markers of RPE by immunocytochemistry and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) are also explained. Finally, the efficiency of differentiation in different sizes of EBs monitored by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of RPE markers is described. These techniques will facilitate the differentiation of iPS cells into RPE for future applications.

In vivo visualizing the dynamics of bone marrow stem cells in mouse retina and choroidal-retinal circulation

It has recently been shown that bone marrow cells can differentiate into various lineage cells including neural cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore it is an attractive therapeutic intervention to apply autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells that may offer neuroprotection to laser-induced retinal injuries. The purpose of this study is to develop a method with which to visualize bone marrow stem cells dynamics in mouse retinal circulation. We have used a physiological method, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO), to track the highly enriched stem/progenitor cells circulating in the retina. Stem cells were enriched by immunomagnetic depletion of cells committed to the T- and B lymphocytic, myeloid and erythorid lineages. CellTrackerTM Green-labeled stem cells were injected into the tail veins of mice with laser-induced focal retinal injuries. Bone marrow stem cells labeled with CellTrackerTM Green were visible in the retinal circulation for as long as 1 hour and 30 minutes. These studies suggest that stem cell-enriched bone marrow cells may have the ability to mobilize into laser-induced retinal injuries and possibly further proliferate, differentiate and functionally integrate into the retina.