학술논문
A fully organic retinal prosthesis restores vision in a rat model of degenerative blindness.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Maya-Vetencourt JF; Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.; Ghezzi D; Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.; Antognazza MR; Center for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy.; Colombo E; Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.; Mete M; Ophthalmology Department, Sacro Cuore Hospital - Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy.; Feyen P; Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.; Desii A; Center for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy.; Buschiazzo A; Department of Health Science, Nuclear Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.; Di Paolo M; Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, Italy.; Di Marco S; Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, Italy.; Ticconi F; Department of Health Science, Nuclear Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.; Emionite L; Animal Facility, National Institute Cancer Research, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.; Shmal D; Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.; Marini C; Institute of Molecular Bio-imaging and Physiology (IBFM), CNR, Milan (GE section), Italy.; Donelli I; Innovhub-SSI, Silk Division, 20133 Milan, Italy.; Freddi G; Innovhub-SSI, Silk Division, 20133 Milan, Italy.; Maccarone R; Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, Italy.; Bisti S; Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Science, University of L'Aquila, Italy.; Sambuceti G; Department of Health Science, Nuclear Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.; Pertile G; Ophthalmology Department, Sacro Cuore Hospital - Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy.; Lanzani G; Center for Nano Science and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Milan, Italy.; Benfenati F; Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.; Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Source
Publisher: Nature Pub. Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101155473 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1476-4660 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14761122 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Nat Mater Subsets: MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
Abstract
The degeneration of photoreceptors in the retina is one of the major causes of adult blindness in humans. Unfortunately, no effective clinical treatments exist for the majority of retinal degenerative disorders. Here we report on the fabrication and functional validation of a fully organic prosthesis for long-term in vivo subretinal implantation in the eye of Royal College of Surgeons rats, a widely recognized model of retinitis pigmentosa. Electrophysiological and behavioural analyses reveal a prosthesis-dependent recovery of light sensitivity and visual acuity that persists up to 6-10 months after surgery. The rescue of the visual function is accompanied by an increase in the basal metabolic activity of the primary visual cortex, as demonstrated by positron emission tomography imaging. Our results highlight the possibility of developing a new generation of fully organic, highly biocompatible and functionally autonomous photovoltaic prostheses for subretinal implants to treat degenerative blindness.