Gold nanoparticle Neurosensory Epiretinal Implant to Treat Photoreceptor Vision Loss

项目摘要 视网膜退行性病变和营养不良是导致失明的主要原因 寿命。因此，迫切需要找到能够解决这一问题的新型治疗设备 破坏性疾病的广泛群体。金纳米颗粒视网膜前神经感觉神经刺激器 (GNES)就是这样一种装置，一种没有外部发电的植入物，用于刺激 剩余的视网膜神经节细胞以恢复视力。放置在介电层上的金纳米颗粒 具有在暴露于特定波长时产生电压的能力。有趣的是，这些 可以利用这些现象来将它们用作光感受器。长期目标是解决 对生物兼容神经感觉设备的需求，修改设计以实现高分辨率和 为视网膜营养不良和变性患者提供持久的痤疮。拟议的研究 将评估一种可以被动混合光信号和 直接刺激剩余的视网膜神经节细胞。这项研究的基本原理是黄金- 纳米粒子是电压产生粒子，不需要图像处理、电力 眼内和眼外部分的来源或广泛的手术。这件事的目的是 应用是将GNOES修饰为视网膜神经节细胞刺激物。总体假设是 介电平台上的金纳米颗粒可以作为独立的神经刺激器 刺激视网膜节细胞，并具有持久的兴奋能力。假设将是 通过两个特定的目的进行测试：1.使用GNOES装置评估RGCs的体外兴奋作用。 GNES的激发将使用两种方法进行评估。首先使用多电极阵列(MEA)， 人干细胞诱导视网膜神经节细胞在GNOES上生长。此外，我们将在基因上使用 编码钙指示器(GECI)的小鼠与缺乏光感受器的Rd1小鼠杂交。我们 将测试GNOES对不同波长和空间分辨率的响应。2.确定 采用光闸阀(LSV)精制蚊虫的可行性。电气行业的担忧之一 刺激是系统过热或持续刺激的神经毒性效应。的影响 LSV对RGC存活率的影响将通过长时间的视网膜移植进行测试。形态和形态特征 RGCs的功能检测将在长期培养或暴露于刺激后进行。这 这项工作是创新的，因为它是第一个具有独立能力和 调节光线的能力。这项工作意义重大，因为它将定义GNOES和 LSV作为一种新的工具来解决光感受器丢失患者的临床治疗挑战， 导致了恢复视力的新方法的发展。

PROJECT ABSTRACT The retinal degenerative and dystrophic pathologies are major causes of blindness through the lifespan. There is thus a critical need to find novel therapeutic devices which can address this broad group of devastating diseases. Gold-nanoparticle neurosensory epiretinal stimulator (GNES) is one such device, an implant without external power generation for stimulation of remaining retinal ganglion cells to restore vision. Gold nanoparticles placed on a dielectric layer have the potency to generate voltage on exposure to certain wavelengths. Intriguingly, these phenomena can be exploited to use them as photoreceptors. The long-term goal is to address the need for biocompatible neurosensory devices, modifying the design for high resolution and long lasting GNES for patients with retinal dystrophy and degenerations. The proposed research will assess an autonomous GNES that can passively mix the effect of optical signals and directly excite remaining retinal ganglion cells. The rationale for this research is that gold- nanoparticles are voltage generating particles without the need for image processing, power source or extensive surgery for the intraocular and extraocular component. The objective in this application is to modify GNES as a retinal ganglion cell stimulator. The overall hypothesis is that gold nanoparticles on a dielectric platform can serve as a stand-alone neurostimulator that excites RGCs and are biocompatible with lasting excitatory capability. The hypothesis will be tested via two specific aims: 1. Assess the excitation of RGCs ex vivo using GNES device. GNES excitation will be assessed using two methods. First with multielectrode array (MEA) with human stem cell induced RGCs growth over GNES. In addition, we will use Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicator (GECI) mice crossed with rd1 mice which lack photoreceptors. We will test the GNES response to different wavelengths and spatial resolution. 2. Determine the feasibility of refined GNES with Light Shutter Valve (LSV). One of the concerns in electrical stimulation is overheating the system or neurotoxic effect of constant stimulation. The effect of LSV on RGC survival will be tested with prolonged retinal explants. The morphology and functional assay of RGCs will be tested after prolonged culture or exposure to stimulation. This work is innovative, as it is the first epiretinal implantable device with standalone capability and capacity to regulate the light. The work is highly significant because it will define GNES and LSV as a new tool to address the clinical challenge in treating patients with photoreceptor loss, leading to development of new ways to restore vision.