HARNESSING THE POTENTIAL OF ADIPOSE-DERIVED MESENCHYMAL STEM/STROMAL CELLS TO COMBAT CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION: PIONEERING NEW FRONTIERS IN VISION RESTORATION
Published 2025 - 29th ESCRS Winter Meeting
Reference: PO016 | Type: Presented Poster & Poster | DOI: 10.82333/0ach-j740
Authors: Demetrios Pirounides* 1 , Georgios Balanikas 1 , Angeliki Fountouki 1 , Efstratia Amaxilati 1 , Evangelia Papadopoulou 1 , Georgios Koliakos 2 , Vasileios Karampatakis 3
11st Department of Ophthalmology,AHEPA University Hospital,Thessaloniki,Greece, 2Laboratory of Biological Chemistry,Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,Thessaloniki,Greece, 3Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology,Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,Thessaloniki,Greece
Purpose
To investigate the capacity of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (ADMSC) to inhibit corneal neovascularization (CoNV) following injection in a rabbit model.
Setting
The study was conducted in the Surgery Unit of the School of Veterinary Medicine. All the animals were kept in a specially designed, well-ventilated facility under stable temperature and humidity with a successive 12-hour light/dark cycle and fed ad libitum. All principles of the ARVO Statement were implemented. All procedures and experimental designs of the study were reviewed and authorized by the appropriate state institutions.
Methods
A cohort of New Zealand rabbits was randomly divided into two distinct groups.. Corneal incisions were made and sutured to initiate neovascularization. The control group received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), while the treatment group received ADMSC via three different routes with intrastromal and subconjunctival injection and topical application. Eyes were enucleated 14 days post-surgery for analysis. Assessment of CoNV was performed through histological examination of ocular sections, and immunohistochemical analysis using anti-VEGF and anti-TNF-α antibodies was conducted. Parametric statistical comparisons were made between neovascularization areas in treated versus untreated eyes.
Results
Both groups exhibited CoNV; however, the extent of neovascularization was significantly lower in the ADMSC-treated group (P < .01). The ADMSC treatment resulted in nearly normal corneal architecture, indicating effective suppression of neovascularization. Immunohistochemical staining showed a notable decrease in TNF-α levels in the ADMSC group, reflecting reduced inflammatory responses. Control eyes displayed intense VEGF staining, corresponding with pronounced neovascularization, while ADMSC-treated corneas showed no capillary formation.
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that topical application of ADMSC significantly mitigates injury-induced angiogenesis in the cornea in vivo, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for managing corneal neovascularization.