Nestin positive cells in adult human retina and in epiretinal membranes

Abstract

Background/aim: Nestin is an intermediate filament marker for neural progenitor cells. The authors aimed to identify nestin positive cells in adult human retina and within surgically removed epiretinal membranes. Methods: Adult human retina and epiretinal membranes were studied. Tissue was fixed and processed for semithin sections or whole mount preparations for immunohistochemical detection of nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. Results: Nestin positive cells are most prominent at the ora serrata, possess fibrillary processes, small amounts of perinuclear cytoplasm, and are arranged radially within or superficially on the retina. In the posterior retina, speckled cytoplasmic nestin staining is seen around the nuclei of neurons. In the peripapillary retina most of the cells in the retinal ganglion cell layer are nestin positive. These cells appear to represent nestin positive neurons. Speckled cells are also seen in the myelinated portion of the optic nerve. In epiretinal membranes patches of elongated nestin positive cells were found. These cells were also positive for GFAP. Conclusions: Some neurons and glia in the adult human retina are nestin positive. Their pattern in anterior retina suggests an analogy with the ciliary marginal zone found in many other species. The role of these cells in pathological responses to retinal disease is suggested by the presence of large numbers of ectopic nestin positive cells in epiretinal membranes. The authors hypothesise that nestin positive cells represent a population of progenitor cells from normal adult human retina that differentiate to make up retinal scar tissue.

Expression Sites of Neural Stem Cell-Related Genes in the Monkey Retina

“…This suggests that undifferentiated stem cells of the fovea differentiate and grow into glial cells. In fact, nestin-positive cells have been found in epiretinal membranes [12].…”

Retinal stem cells and regeneration

“…Studies in adult human retina have closely examined the expression of the neural progenitor marker nestin in the retina. Nestin is expressed in some cells at the junction of the neural retina and the ciliary body, which suggests that a remnant of the CMZ may remain in humans (Mayer et al, 2003). Thus, it appears that the CMZ has made a progressively smaller contribution to the growth of the retina in the evolution of higher vertebrates (Fig.…”

Influence of microglia on retinal progenitor cell turnover and cell replacement

“…9,41,42 We have noted the expression of nestin (embryonic type VI intermediate filament) in adult human retina. 43 Nestin is expressed during development and is a signature of mitotically active progenitor cells, particularly neuronal, within cells in the subventricular zone of the CNS. The observation of nestin-positive cells in CMZ as well as in radial cells within the retina infers the presence of progenitor cell populations within the retina as well as that of cells capable of directing migration of cells within the tissue towards cell renewal.…”

“…46,47 Further, our initial observations demonstrated that cells from epiretinal membranes of surgical specimens expressed nestin. 43 We have isolated a population of nestin-positive CD133 þ CD90 À cells from adult human retina that show, albeit small, a significant capacity to divide and generate neurospheres and differentiate into neurones, glia, and photoreceptors (Carter et al, unpublished data). These cells are maintained by LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor) in a proliferative but undifferentiated state.…”