With the recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 we have focused on understanding the risk of infection through the eye. Using generous donations we studied the gene expression of adult human eye tissues for the expression of receptors hypothesized to be targeted for cellular internalization into human cells ACE-2 and TMPRSS2. We find that the Cornea possesses the highest percentage of cell which express the receptors. Current studies are evaluating infectivity and potential compounds able to prevent infection for the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 eye drops.<\/p>\n
Retinal regeneration<\/strong><\/p>\n The neural retina in early vertebrates has demonstrated surprising flexibility in repairing damaged tissue. The human retina, while seemingly less regenerative has also shown some plasticity and ability to repair. Our approach in exploring the regenerative potential of the human eye is to study the eyes of generous organ donors. We have developed methods where we can keep eye tissues in culture while maintaining their normal physiology. We can also expand the cells so that we have sufficient quantities to study the eye in new ways never before possible. We examine their epigenetic states, electrophysiology, and morphology from\u00a0normal and diseased donors. From this we are drawing\u00a0connections between their\u00a0cellular physiology and\u00a0epigenetic landscape with\u00a0the hope of gaining insight on the changes we may control\u00a0to restore lost function. Moreover we are using these cultures as sources for cell replacement therapies for eye disease.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Using adult human RPE as a source for <\/strong><\/p>\n cell replacement therapy for treating Age-related Macular Degeneration<\/strong><\/p>\n Age-related macular Degeneration (AMD) is an age related disease where in the U.S 15% over the age of 50 years is diagnosed. Early symptoms of the disease is marked by a deposition of misfolded proteins behind the retina and loss of retinal pigment epithelium a cell layer\u00a0essential for phototransduction and vision. Because of this, one exciting strategy for these patients is to replace diseased RPE with healthy RPE in the hope they will restore normal function and prevent disease progression and vision loss. Adult human RPE (ahRPE) received from generous organ donors are an exciting source for cell replacement therapies. \u00a0ahRPE have mature native physiology, and\u00a0may aid in functional integration. Moreover, ahRPE\u00a0have stable MHC expression allowing donor\/host matching and utilizing long-established organ transplantation donor host matching protocols. \u00a0Using tissue from adult human donors is less ethically controversial increasing the likelihood of acceptance and adoption. Lastly, adult cadaver donor-derived tissue is an inexhaustible supply, and based on our current culture protocols, we can obtain enough pure and functional RPE cells from each donor to treat up to 10,000 patients.<\/p>\n As a member of the Retinal Stem Cell Consortium (NYSTEM) that will be filing an IND with the FDA in 2017 for the use of adult human RPE for subretinal transplantation as a suspension for the treatment of AMD, we have contributed to the development of a GMP production pipeline from donor eye dissection to final cell product, including the establishment of release tests, quality control assays and surgical implantation protocols. Pre-clinical studies are now needed to evaluate the promise of ahRPE transplanted as a monolayer for patients with dry AMD.<\/p>\n There is still much work to do and we are working to established improved methods for improving functional integration and evasion from the immune system.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/labs.icahn.mssm.edu\/blenkinsoplab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/153\/2020\/05\/Figure-1a-Website.jpg\")
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