In this two-part webinar, Dr. Shoichet discusses two methods of cell regeneration in the central nervous system. The first method involves cell transplantation in the retina, and the second focuses on stimulating endogenous stem cells to replace neurons after a stroke.

For the retinal approach, photoreceptor (PR) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells suspended in a hyaluronan–methylcellulose hydrogel are injected subretinally into two mouse models of blindness. Delivering both PR and RPE cells in the hydrogel improves vision, prevents cell clumping, and reduces inflammation. This strategy could potentially be applied to treat age-related macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa.

In the second approach, Dr. Shoichet describes a less invasive method to stimulate endogenous stem cells to differentiate into neurons following stroke damage. An osmotic minipump delivers therapeutics such as cyclosporine A and erythropoietin in the hydrogel to repair damaged cells and promote tissue regeneration. Delivering known stem cell differentiators in the hydrogel has been shown to enhance tissue regeneration and restore function in mouse and rat stroke models.