Method to generate induced retinal progenitor cells and treatment using such cells
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/US2024/031829
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-05-31
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Current methods for treating photoreceptor degeneration, such as cell replacement therapy, face challenges including the ethical issues with fetal retinal progenitor cells, low proliferative abilities, and high costs associated with embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells, as well as inefficiencies in differentiation and labor-intensive processes.
Chemical conversion of eye fibroblasts into induced retinal progenitor cells using a culture medium containing DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, cyclic adenosine monophosphate activators, Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitors, and ascorbic acid, allowing for the generation of functional retinal progenitor cells capable of rescuing photoreceptor degenerations.
The method effectively generates functional induced retinal progenitor cells that can rescue photoreceptor degenerations, offering a viable and efficient alternative to existing therapies by overcoming ethical and cost-related issues with primary and stem cell-derived approaches.