Fig. 2

RGC transplantation models, methods, and assessment. Each animal and disease/injury model possesses advantages and disadvantages for studying essential aspects of RGC replacement and mimicking different characteristics of optic neuropathies. Donor RGCs can be delivered to the intravitreal (IVT) or subretinal (SR) space, but each route has unique barriers to overcome to achieve structural integration. In addition to integrating within the host retina, donor RGCs must avoid being targeted by the adaptive and innate immune systems. Visualizing donor and host RGCs is essential to translate cell replacement therapies to the clinic, and a combination of techniques is required to properly assess the structural and functional integration of the transplanted cells