The goal of this study is to assess whether the suprachoroidal graft of adipose-derived stem cells included in the stromal vascular fraction and platelets derived from platelet-rich plasma by the Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique can improve visual acuity and retinal sensitivity responses in eyes affected by dry age-related macular degeneration.
This study is aimed at examining whether a suprachoroidal graft of autologous cells can improve best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and responses to microperimetry (MY) in eyes affected by dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) over time through the production and secretion of growth factors (GFs) on surrounding tissue. Patients were randomly assigned to each study group. All patients were diagnosed with dry AMD and with BCVA equal to or greater than 1 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). A suprachoroidal autologous graft by Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique (LRRT) was carried out on group A, which included 11 eyes from 11 patients. The technique was performed by implanting adipocytes, adipose-derived stem cells obtained from the stromal vascular fraction, and platelets from platelet-rich plasma in the suprachoroidal space. Conversely, group B, including 14 eyes of 14 patients, was used as a control group. For each patient, diagnosis was verified by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). In group A, BCVA improved by 0.581 to 0.504 at 90 days and to 0.376 logMAR at 180 days (+32.20%) postoperatively. Furthermore, MY test increased by 11.44 dB to 12.59 dB at 180 days. The different cell types grafted behind the choroid were able to ensure constant GF secretion in the choroidal flow. Consequently, the results indicate that visual acuity (VA) in the grafted group can increase more than in the control group after six months.
Cell therapy, consisting of the systemic or local injection of stem/progenitor cells in the injured area to treat multiple chronic disorders, has drawn close attention in the last decade1. Since the 1990s, growth factors (GFs) have been studied for their potentially therapeutic role in retinal atrophy2. In fact, many human cells can produce GFs, which are specific proteins that are able to block or slow down apoptosis, i.e., the programmed death of cells3.
It is known that dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an atrophic retinal disease where gradual and irreversible cell death involves injury to the photoreceptor layer and, consequently, the loss of central visual function4. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people over 55 years of age in developed countries and accounts for 80% of all macular degenerations, which lack an effective treatment to date.
Several studies have shown that there are various sources from which autologous GFs can be obtained. These comprise different cell types, including adipose stromal cells derived from orbital fat, platelets derived from platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) included in the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of adipose tissue5,6,7. The current GF set ensures retinal neuroenhancement, and research conducted by Filatov, Meduri, Pelaez, and Limoli has demonstrated that autologous fat transplantation (AFT) is effective8,9,10.
Moreover, a prior study showed significant improvements in electroretinogram (ERG) data, recorded post suprachoroidal autologous graft, in dry AMD-affected eyes11. The surgically grafted tissue in the suprachoroidal space modulated the paracrine secretion of retinal cells, delaying their apoptosis6,7,12. Considering outer nuclear layer thickness, the histological examination of the retina of guinea pigs has shown that GFs could have a trophic effect on the retina. Therefore, the direct or indirect use of GFs can potentially bring therapeutic benefits through a balanced relation between molecular inducers and inhibitors6,7,12.
The purpose of this method is to assess whether the suprachoroidal graft of adipocytes, ADSCs in SVF and PRP can improve best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and microperimetry (MY) responses in dry AMD-affected eyes. This study aims to demonstrate the therapeutic effect of autograft on the basis of its GF production, according to the cited literature6,7,12,13.
The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Low Vision Academy and all subjects signed a written consent in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. This research study has received ethical approval from both Loughborough and Sheffield Universities.
NOTE: The inclusion and exclusion criteria of dry age-related macular degeneration patients to receive suprachoroidal autologous graft by Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique (LRRT) is described in Table 1.
1. Diagnosis of Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration Patients
2. Anesthetization
NOTE: The gold standard in anesthesia during LRRT is topical anesthesia, reinforced by sub-tenon's infiltration of anesthetic and sedation. In specific cases, general anesthesia is preferred.
3. Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique Preparation
NOTE: This technique represents a variant of Pelaez's intervention by which orbital autologous fat is transplanted in the subscleral space1,6,7,12. Surgically grafted cells can produce many GFs with neurotrophic and angiotrophic properties in the surrounding tissue, choroid, and retina18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25. In LRRT, the distance between grafted autologous cells and choroid is reduced by means of deep sclerectomy, and the contact area between the stalk and choroid is expanded to promote the paracrine autologous cell secretion into the choroidal flow9,10,14.
4. Technical Specifications and Strategy
Note: Fat tissue is collected and purified from the abdominal subcutaneous layer of patients, according to the Lawrence and Coleman technique17(Table of Materials).
5. Suprachoroidal Autograft by LRRT (Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique): Surgical Procedure and Technical Details
Using the procedure presented here, two groups of dry AMD-affected patients, with BCVA equal to or greater than 1 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), were enrolled in the study. Group A, including 11 eyes of 11 patients, received suprachoroidal autologous graft by Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique (LRRT), whereas group B, including 14 eyes of 14 patients, was used as a control group.
Student's t-test and the chi square test were used to compare, respectively, mean age and gender distribution between the two study groups (Table 2). Statistical analyses and data visualization were performed before and after LRRT surgery.
A Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney signed rank test was carried out to determine whether the pre- and post-treatment differences were significant. This non-parametric statistical hypothesis test was applied to compare two dependent samples when the population cannot be assumed to be normally distributed, as in this case. VA values were measured at each step of the analysis. Statistical significance was set at a p value <0.05.
Eleven eyes (6 right and 5 left eyes) of 11 patients (7 male and 4 female) with the clinical diagnosis of dry AMD were examined in this study. Patient age ranged from 62 to 84 years, with a mean age of 71.5 years (± 3.8 SD).
Table 2 provides an overview of the clinical profiles of the patients treated with LRRT, and the average values recorded at 0 (T0), 90 (T90), and 180 (T180) days after surgery. Adverse effects were always reported to guarantee maximum safety. Mean values of intraocular pressure recorded at 0 (T0), 90 (T90), and 180 (T180) days after surgery did not record any significant change.
Results after LRRT surgery were as follows:
In group A, BCVA changed from 0.581 (T0) preoperatively to 0.504 at 90 days (T90), and to 0.376 logMAR at 180 days (T180) with a significant increase of 35.20% (p <0.01). In control group B, including 14 eyes of 14 patients, 7 males and 7 females, with a mean age of 80.4 years, SD ± 2.3, BCVA changed from 0.573 (T0) to 0.587 (T90), and to 0.601 logMAR (T180) with a non-significant mean decrease of 4.72% (Table 2) (Figure 3). In group A, MY test increased significantly from 11.44 dB (T0) to 12.59 dB (T180) (+9.58%) (Figure 4), whereas there was no significant improvement in postoperative values in group B.
Figure 1: Representation of suprachoroidal autologous graft. Growth factors (GFs) produced by adipose cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) reach the choroidal and retinal tissues through the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2: Technical Procedure. Cannula and subsequent withdrawal of adipose tissue from the abdominal area (Panel A). The cannula moves subcutaneous fat with mild aspiration by aspirating fat cells into its own lumen (Panel B). After centrifugation, there are three-layers of adipose tissue: oil (high layer), homogeneous fat (intermediate layer), and blood fluid (lower layer) (Panel C). Observe the tube with blood immediately after centrifugation. There are three layers: platelets poor plasma (PPP), platelets rich plasma (PRP), and erythrocytes (Panel D). Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 3: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Change in group A after suprachoroidal autologous graft by Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique (LRRT), and in the control group (Check), measured at time 0 (T0), 90 (T90), and 180 (T180) days. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 4: Microperimetry (MY) in a patient of group A. Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) six months after Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique (LRRT). MY increased from 11.44 dB (T0) to 12.59 dB (T180) (+9.58%). Color scale from 0 to 36 in dB. Fixation stability: stable, relatively unstable, unstable. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Inclusion Criteria | Exclusion Criteria |
Caucasian subjects | Refractive errors with spherical equivalent >6 D |
Well-nourished participants | Signs of exudative AMD by SD-OCT and FA |
Diagnosis by SD-OCT, AFI, and FA | Ocular disorders: CT, GL, ON, MP, VM, CRD, etc. |
Measurable VA | Ocular trauma |
BCVA ≥1 logMAR | Systemic diseases: MS; PD; DM; RD; HD; vasculitis |
Normal IOP | Hypertension, cancer, and other systemic diseases |
Good storage extrafoveal areas | |
LogMAR: logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution; SD-OCT: spectral domain-optical coherence tomography; AFI: autofluorescence imaging; FA: fluorescein angiography; VA: visual acuity; IOP: intraocular pressure; D: diopters; CT: cataract; GL: glaucoma; ON: optic neuritis; MP: macular pucker; VM: neovascular membranes; CRD: chorioretinal disease; MS: multiple sclerosis; PD: Parkinson disease; DM: diabetes mellitus; RD: renal diseases; HD: hepatic diseases. |
Table 1: Inclusion and exclusion criteria for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients.
PARAMETERS | LRRT (n = 11) | Control (n = 14) |
Age (average) | 71.5 ±3.8SD | 80.4 ±2.3SD |
Age (range) | 62 – 84 | 73 – 79 |
Sex | F:4 M:7 | F:7 M:7 |
BCVA T0 | 0.581 logMAR | 0.573 logMAR |
(average) | ||
BCVA T0 (range) | 0.301 – 1.0 | 0.0 – 1.0 |
BCVA T90 (average) | 0.504 logMAR | 0.587 logMAR |
BCVA T90 (range) | 0.222 – 1 | 0.0 – 1 |
BCVA T180 (average) | 0.376 logMAR | 0.601 logMAR |
BCVA T180 (range) | 0.046 – 0.699 | 0.0 – 1.0 |
Percentage | 35.19 | 4.72 |
change | ||
p value | <0.01 | >0.5 |
Age in years; n=patients and controls; SD=standard deviation; F=female; M=male; BCVA= best corrected visual acuity in logMAR; T0=baseline before surgery autograft; T90=90 days post surgical autograft; T180=180 days post surgical autograft. |
Table 2: Clinical profiles of patients examined in the study. Average values recorded before (T0), 90 (T90), and 180 (T180) days after cell autograft by Limoli Retinal Restoration Technique (LRRT) in all patients.
The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the suprachoroidal graft of adipocytes, ADSCs in SVF, and PRP could improve VA and retinal sensitivity in dry AMD-affected eyes over time. Another main objective was to demonstrate possible therapeutic effects of these cells, based on the recent literature, since several preclinical studies have suggested that GF-based therapy could be useful for patient care in several diseases.
In fact, some studies have shown that autologous human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) could represent a cellular source for the graft, aimed at retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) regeneration in tissue replacement therapy for AMD18,19. These cell sheets are generated as a monolayer which could express typical RPE markers and exhibit polarized GF secretion, showing phagocytotic ability, as well as gene-expression patterns similar to those of native RPE18,19. Upon transplantation, autologous non-human primate iPSC-RPE cell sheets showed neither immune rejection nor tumor formation18,19.
The present study presents some different characteristics. We analyzed directly in dry AMD-affected human eyes whether the suprachoroidal autograft cell can improve visual performance.
Besides, sovrachoroidal graft of autologous cells according to LRRT has always proven to be safe. We have never registered sub-retinal neovascularization, macular edema, retinal detachment, or other retinal problems in the first-year post intervention. On the other hand, inappropriate surgical procedures can theoretically lead to perforation of the choroid with subsequent bleeding, but in our research no eye was damaged. However, it is possible to have sub-conjunctival hemorrhage that is usually reabsorbed within a few days and does not present again as a complication.
Recent studies have provided ample evidence of a significant increase in scotopic ERG values, BCVA and MY, at 90 and 180 days post autologous graft. However, the increase was greater if the retinal thickness average (RTA) recorded by SD-OCT was higher11,26. It is believed that the surgically grafted cells can produce GFs in the surrounding tissue, choroid, and retina, and that they have neurotrophic and angiotrophic properties, such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), interleukin (IL), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and placental growth factor (PlGF), while platelets produce platelet-derived grow factor (PDGF), platelet-derived angiogenesis factor (PDAF), etc.6,7,12,13,21
Graft placement near the choroid is believed to allow the produced GFs to enter the choroidal flow, to reach the endothelial cell receptors, RPEs, Muller cells, photoreceptors, and finally to interact with them. In LRRT, the autologous grafted elements are useful, each in their own way, for regeneration. The fat cells produce bFGF, epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IL, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), PEDF, and adiponectin21. The ADSCs produce bFGF, VEGF, M-CSF, GM-CSF, PlGF, TGF-β, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), IGF-1, IL, and angiogenin6,7. The platelets produce PDGF, IGF-1, TGF-β, VEGF, bFGF, EGF, PDAF, and thrombospondin (TSP)6,12.
Some factors promote endothelial regeneration, and some stimulate ADSC proliferation, thus favoring both autologous fat and adipocyte survival, while others inhibit neovascular processes22,23,24. PEDF and bFGF favor photoreceptor survival, while EGF exerts its action on Müller cells by triggering endogenous bFGF transcription and stimulating ADSCs to increase their secretory activity25,27. Though GFs are normally secreted by RPEs, this does not occur in atrophic maculopathy as a result of the RPE/choriocapillaris complex. Paracrine GF secretion by graft cells contributes to favoring photoreceptor and choriocapillaris survival28. Moreover, M-CSF, GM-CSF, and IL have anti-inflammatory and chemotactic effects on macrophages, which are involved in the elimination of intraretinal cell debris, a function that is physiologically carried out by RPEs29,30.
The cell types grafted behind the choroid can ensure constant GF secretion in the choroidal flow. GFs can arrive from the choroid to the retinal cells, interact with their membrane receptors, and finally activate an intracellular pathway. The presented data suggest that LRRT can increase choroidal perfusion and photoreceptor trophism not only through bFGF-receptor interactions, but also through stimulation by Müller cells, RPEs, and retinal photoreceptors. As a result, gene expression changes and the final antiapoptotic effect could explain the neuroenhancement. This cellular mechanism underlies the ability to increase visual performance, as highlighted in the clinical findings in the grafted group. In summary, LRRT could be useful to preserve the visual function of dry AMD-affected patients in the long term.
However, as we have demonstrated in previous studies, cone-rod ERG and rod ERG show a highly significant correlation with RTA, while this is not the case of cone ERG. This can be explained by the fact that fovea function appears to be compromised, although the macular volumes in dry AMD continues to be regular, at least in the initial stages26. In this pathology, residual retinal trophism measured by RTA can be a prognostic criterion for LRRT treatment, since better outcomes are more frequent in patients with RTA equal to or greater than 250 µm26. The available GF set could result in neuroenhancement, the extent of which is proportional to the presence of areas with greater cellularity, as recorded by electrical activity26. At a later stage, poor tissue cellularity would not give the therapeutic effect that is sought after with the procedure, due to the scarce GF-membrane receptor interactions.
The next steps of this research will require the recruitment of a larger number of subjects with greater VA and central fixation by statistically assessing all the indispensable tests needed to confirm that the technique is valid and to study the biochemical effects. It can be argued that the increase in cell trophism is reflected in the cell visual activity, measured objectively by ERG, BCVA, and MY11. GF-based therapy could provide an up-to-date, selective, safe, and reasonable treatment in ophthalmologic diseases.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
The authors have no acknowledgements.
Blunt cannula, 3 mm. | Mentor, Santa Barbara, CA. | ||
Luer-LokTM syringe. | BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ. | ||
Regen-BCT tube. | RegenKit; RegenLab, Le Mont-sur-Lausanne, CH. | ||
Centrifuge | RegenPRP Centri. RegenLab, Le Mont-sur-Lausanne, CH. | ||
BD Venflon Pro Safety 22G x 1.00 inch (0.9 mm x 25 mm). | BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ. | ||
SPSS Statistics Version 19.0 | IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA. | ||
Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope | Nidek Inc, Fremont, CA | Nidek F10 | |
Cirrus 5000 Spectral Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography | Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany | SD-OCT | |
Maia 100809 Microperimetry | CenterVue S.p.A., Padua, Italy | ||
Ocular electrophysiology electromedical system, | C.S.O., S.r.l., Scandicci, Italy | Retimax for ERG |