Authors:
Gabriel Nistor, Magdalene J. Seiler, Fengrong Yan, David Ferguson, and Hans S. Keirstead
Summary:
Purpose - To develop three-dimensional (3D) constructs of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and early retina progenitor cells from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).
Methods - 3D tissue constructs were developed by culturing hESC-derived neural retinal progenitors in a matrix on top of hESC-derived RPE cells in a cell culture insert. An osmolarity gradient maintained the nutrition of the 3D cell constructs. Cross-sections through hESC-derived tissue constructs were characterized by immunohistochemistry for various transcription factors and cell markers.
Results - hESC-derived tissue constructs expressed transcription factors characteristic of retinal development, such as pax6, Otx2, Chx10, retinal RAX; Brn3b (necessary for differentiation of retinal ganglion cells); and crx and nrl (role in photoreceptor development). Many cells expressed neuronal markers including nestin, beta-tubulin and microtubule-associated proteins.
Conclusions - This study shows for the first time that 3D early retinal progenitor tissue constructs can be derived from hESCs.
Source:
Journal of Neuroscience Methods; Vol. 190, Issue 1, 63-70 (06/30/10)