228 results about "Retinal pigments" patented technology

Nucleic acid vectors encoding light-gated cation-selective membrane channels, in particular channelrhodopsin-2 (Chop2), converted inner retinal neurons to photosensitive cells in photoreceptor-degenerated retina in an animal model. Such treatment restored visual perception and various aspects of vision. A method of restoring light sensitivity to a retina of a subject suffering from vision loss due to photoreceptor degeneration, as in retinitis pigmentosa or macular degeneration, is provided. The method comprises delivering to the subject by intravitreal or subretinal injection, the above nucleic acid vector which comprises an open reading frame encoding a rhodopsin, to which is operatively linked a promoter and transcriptional regulatory sequences, so that the nucleic acid is expressed in inner retinal neurons. These cells, normally light-insensitive, are converted to a light-sensitive state and transmit visual information to the brain, compensating for the loss, and leading to restoration of various visual capabilities.

The present invention relates to a composition for implantation in the subretinal space of an eye, the composition including amniotic membrane, which may be cryopreserved human amniotic membrane, and a plurality of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells or RPE equivalent cells present at the amniotic membrane. The amniotic membrane may be intact, epithelially denuded, or otherwise treated. The invention includes the use of amniotic membrane for the culturing of RPE cells thereon, forming a surgical graft for replacement of Bruch's membrane as a substrate, and for the transplanting of RPE cells to the subretinal space. The composition does not elicit immunological reactions to alloantigens or to RPE specific autoantigens; and exerts anti-inflammatory, anti angiogentic, and anti-scarring effects. The invention includes methods and kits for making or using composites including amniotic membrane and RPE cells. Also disclosed is a device for harvesting RPE cells.

The invention relates to a method of producing a retinal pigment epithelial cell from a human pluripotent stem cell, and a method of treating or preventing a retinal disease by using the produced cell. The retinal pigment epithelial cell is prepared by (a) inducing differentiation of a human pluripotent stem cell into a pigment cell by adhesion cultivation of a human pluripotent stem cell in a medium containing a Nodal signal inhibitor and a Wnt signal inhibitor in the absence of a feeder cell to give a culture containing the pigment cell, (b) subjecting the obtained culture to further adhesion culture to give a culture containing a pigment cell colony, and (c) isolating the pigment cell from the obtained culture and culturing the cell to give a retinal pigment epithelial cell.

A unique DHA product, 10, 17S-docosatriene (“Neuroprotectin D1” or “NPD1”), was found to provide surprisingly effective neuroprotection when administered right after an experimental stroke. Moreover, both nerve cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were found to synthesize 10,17S-docosatriene (NPD1) from DHA. NPD1 also potently counteracted H₂O₂/TNFα oxidative stress-mediated cell apoptotic damage. Under the same oxidative-stress conditions, NPD1 up-regulated the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and decreased expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bad and Bax. Moreover, in RPE cells NPD1 inhibited oxidative stress-induced caspase-3 activation, IL-1β-stimulated human COX-2 promoter expression, and apoptosis due to N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E). Overall, NPD1 protected both nerve and retinal pigment epithelial cells from cellular apoptosis and damage due to oxidative stress. NPD1 concentration in the brain of Alzheimer's patients was found to be significantly decreased from that of controls. In cultured human brain cells, NPD1 synthesis was up-regulated by neuroprotective soluble β amyloid, and NPD1 was found to inhibit secretion of toxic β amyloid peptides.

The present invention provides devices and methods for applying radiation to the retina of a patient. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a radiation source for generating a radiation beam suitable for absorption by retinal pigment epithelial cells. One or more optical components are included to direct the beam onto the retina. A scanner is optically coupled to the radiation source to control movement of the beam in two dimensions to allow a scan over the retina. A controller applies control signals to the scanner to adjust beam movement to illuminate a plurality of retinal locations in a temporal sequence according to a predefined pattern. The device can be operated in one mode to effect selective targeting of retinal pigment epithelial cells, or in another mode to effect thermal photocoagulation of the retina.

The present invention provides improved methods for producing retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells from human embryonic stem cells, human induced pluripotent stem (iPS), human adult stem cells, human hematopoietic stem cells, human fetal stem cells, human mesenchymal stem cells, human postpartum stem cells, human multipotent stem cells, or human embryonic germ cells. The RPE cells derived from embryonic stem cells are molecularly distinct from adult and fetal-derived RPE cells, and are also distinct from embryonic stem cells. The RPE cells described herein are useful for treating retinal degenerative conditions including retinal detachment and macular degeneration.

The invention discloses a lutein ester health care product for protecting eyesight. The lutein ester health care product is prepared by taking lutein ester as a main material, and adding any one or more materials including taurine, selenium, zinc, alpha-lipoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and bilberry extract, and pharmaceutically acceptable formulation accessories. The outstanding innovation of the invention is the implementation of the method for preparing a functional eye health care product with the lutein ester instead of lutein, so that the bioavailability, the stability and the health care effect of the product are improved, and production cost can be greatly reduced. The health care product can be prepared into common dosage forms, such as tablets, capsula, granules and soft capsules. The lutein ester health care product is mainly used for the treatment on diseases, such as myopia, amblyopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, cataract, vitreous opacity, retinal pigment degeneration, macular degeneration, asthenopia, and retinopathy caused by diabetes, and the like. The lutein ester health care product adopts a unique formulation of multiple constituents, measures and mechanisms, and has significant treatment effects and excellent social and economic benefits.

Disclosed are capsid-modified rAAV particles and expression vectors, as well as compositions and pharmaceutical formulations that comprise them. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using novel capsid-protein-mutated particle or rAAV vector constructs in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications including, inter alia, as delivery agents for diagnosis, treatment, or amelioration of one or more diseases, disorders, or dysfunctions of the mammalian eye. Also disclosed are methods for subretinal delivery of therapeutic gene constructs to mammalian photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial cells, as well as use of the disclosed compositions in the manufacture of medicaments for a variety of in vitro and/or in vivo applications including the treatment of a variety of inherited retinal diseases.

This invention provides a device for delivering substances such as medical implants and tissues. The device comprises a mandrel and a mandrel guide whereby substances are delivered by retracting the mandrel guide relative to the mandrel. Included among the various embodiments are devices specialized for delivering retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells or nanoplates containing RPE cells to the retina, devices with precise control of delivery, devices with specialized mandrels and/or nozzles, and multifunctional devices adapted to provide additional functions such as infusion and/or suction, illumination, and diathermy.

A retinal implant is provided that uses an artificial biocompatible material as a support material on which retinal pigment epithelial cells, iris pigment epithelial cells, and/or stem cells can be deposited either in situ or in vivo. The support material has a surface topology that is rough to promote cell adhesion, has surface pits to allow pigment cells to grow into, and has pores to allow for proper diffusion of materials. The support material serves as a substrate for cell growth and as a patch for damaged basement membrane (Bruch's membrane). This cell-coated membrane or pigment cell-enriched membrane is surgically positioned in the sub-retinal space to rescue or restore photoreceptor cell function that may be damaged or threatened by degenerative diseases of the eye, such as age-related macular degeneration.

Intravitreal administration of a JNK-inhibitory peptide less than 150 amino acids in length, containing at least one D-amino acid, and having (a) a JNK-inhibitory sequence of at least any of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, and (b) a transport sequence of at least any of SEQ ID NO: 3 and SEQ ID NO: 4 suppressed spermidine-induced retinal pigment epithelial damage, tunicamycin-induced photoreceptor cell damage, and laser-induced choroidal neovascularization. Thus, the JNK-inhibitory peptide of the present invention is useful for prophylaxis or therapy of a retinal disease. By the use of this JNK-inhibitory peptide, a drug and a method are provided which are capable of preventing or treating a retinal disease even by topical administration to the eye, and use of the JKN-inhibitory peptide for manufacturing the drug is also provided.

This invention discloses methods to attach and grow a monolayer of cultured human corneal endothelial cells onto the endothelial side of the stroma synthesized from biopolymer to generate a more bio-equivalent artificial cornea. The approaches will include the use of attachment and growth promoting agents such as fibronectin, laminin, RGDS, collagen type IV, bFGF conjugated with polycarbophil, and EGF conjugated with polycarbophil. The patent also describes a method to create a self-sustaining polymer containing adhesive molecules and growth factors to support the attachment and proliferation of cultured human corneal endothelial cells for corneal transplantation either as a half-thickness device or full-thickness button replacement. An approach for the implantation of cultured retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells into the sub-retinal space for treatment of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is disclosed in this invention. This method will enable the delivery of the transplanted RPE in a sheet of monolayer cells and will be better suited to perform their physiological function.

Provided are methods and compositions for maintaining the viability of photoreceptor cells and/or retinal pigment epithelial cells in a subject with an ocular disorder including, for example, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (e.g., dry or neovascular AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), or a retinal detachment. The viability of the photoreceptor cells and/or the retinal pigment epithelial cells can be preserved by administering a necrosis inhibitor either alone or in combination with an apoptosis inhibitor to a subject having an eye with the ocular condition. The compositions, when administered, maintain the viability of the cells, thereby minimizing the loss of vision or visual function associated with the ocular disorder.

Oxidative damage contributes to cone cell death in retinitis pigmentosa and death of rods, cones, and retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells in ocular oxidative stress related diseases including age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Oral antioxidants may provide modest benefits, but more efficient ways of preventing oxidative damage are needed. Compositions and methods are provided herein for the prevention, amelioration, and/or treatment of early or late stage ocular disease by increasing the expression or activity of one or more peroxidases in cells of the eye, particularly retinal cells, and further optionally increasing the expression or activity of one or more superoxide dismuatases in the same cells.

The invention discloses a lutein ophthalmic preparation for protecting eyesight, which is prepared from the following raw materials: 5 to 13 parts of water-soluble lutein (based on C4oH56O2), 50 to 80 parts of taurine, 0.1 to 0.5 parts of selenium (based on Se), 10 to 25 parts of zinc (based on Zn), 0.5 to 1.0 part of water-soluble vitamin A, and 0.8 to 2.0 parts of glutathione; an auxiliary material consists of a diluent, a wetting agent, an isoosmotic adjusting agent, a preservative, an antioxygen and water for injection; formulations comprise eye drops, eye lotion and the like; and the lutein ophthalmic preparation is suitable for eye diseases such as myopia, long sight, cataract, glaucoma, retinal pigment degeneration, macular degeneration and the like. Various nutritious factors are reasonably compatible, a blank of a lutein external preparation is filled, and the bioavailability and health-care effect are obviously improved; and through actual application by 300,000 people, the total effective rate for the myopia, cataract and diabetic eye disease is over 90 percent and the lutein ophthalmic preparation has positive promotion valve.

The invention belongs to the field of biomedicine, and specifically relates to a method used for inducing differentiation of human multipotential stem cells into retinal progenitor cells. According to the method, human embryonic stem cells or human induced multipotential stem cells are induced in a medium containing N2, and then are delivered into a retina induction medium containing neural basis culture medium, knockout serum replacement and nicotinamide so as to obtain the retinal progenitor cells. The method is capable of increasing differentiation rate of human multipotential stem cells into retinal progenitor cells; and the retinal progenitor cells obtained via differentiation can be used for transplantation therapy of irreversible degenerative diseases of retinal neurons, such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, and also can be used for iPS cells sourced from patients as cell models in drug screening and gene interference experiments. Compared with existing technology, small molecule compounds used in the method are less, so that influences caused by non-anthropogenic factors are avoided effectively, and yield of obtained optic cup-like cells is obviously higher than that of existing induced differentiation methods.

The invention discloses a method for constructing a retinal pigment degeneration disease model by utilizing a Gm20541 gene and application, and relates to the technical field of medical engineering. According to the method disclosed by the invention, a Gm20541 gene sequence in a genome in retinal precursor cells is knocked out in a specific targeting manner; a target animal shows typical retinal pigment degeneration disease characteristics; a reliable animal model is provided for research of the Gm20541 gene related retinal pigment degeneration disease, the pathogenesis and mechanism of the retinal pigment degeneration disease can be helped to be illuminated, a new target is provided for treatment or prevention of the disease, and the application prospect is wide.

It is intended to provide a novel therapeutic method for a disease with apoptotic degeneration in eye tissue cells such as retinal pigment degeneration. Attention was paid on the concomitant administration of two neurotrophic factors: pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). The sites of actions are considered to be different between PEDF and FGF2. An SIV-PEDF vector and an SIV-FGF2 vector were constructed and administered to the subretinal space of an RCS rat, which is a disease model of retinal pigment degeneration, and their effects were evaluated. At 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after the administration of the vectors, a significantly higher visual cell protection effect was obtained in a group with concomitant administration than in a group with sole administration. Further, the functional evaluation of retina was carried out by electroretinogram and an effect in the group with concomitant administration was significantly higher than in the group with sole administration. From the above results, it was found for the first time that the concomitant administration of PEDF and FGF2 has higher effects in the treatment of retinal pigment degeneration than conventional methods.

The invention relates to a method for inducing human embryonic stem cells to be differentiated into retinal pigment epitheliums (RPE) in vitro, and belongs to the biology technical field. The pure RPEs can be obtained through one-time passage by means of induced differentiation. Compared with the prior art, the differentiation time from the human embryonic stem cells into the RPEs is shortened. By the adoption of the method, a new approach and guidance are provided for induced directional differentiation of the human embryonic stem cells into the pigment epitheliums.

The present invention relates to a retinal pigment epithelial stem cell isolated from a posterior region of the retinal pigment epithelium of an adult mammal. The invention also relates to a method of inducing differentiation of retinal epithelial stem and progenitor cells in vitro, wherein the cells of the invention are highly plastic, multipotential stem cells. The invention also includes methods for the treatment of retinal diseases and vision loss involving the transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial stem cells or cells differentiated from retinal pigment epithelial stem cells to the retina of a patient in need of treatment.