Neural progenitor cells from postmortem adult human retina

Abstract

Background: Given the presence of neural progenitor cells (NPC) in the retina of other species capable of differentiating into multiple neural components, the authors report the presence of NPC in the adult human retina. A resident population of NPC suggests that the retina may constitutively replace neurons, photoreceptors, and glia. Methods: Adult human postmortem retinal explants and cell suspensions were used to generate cells in tissue culture that display the features of NPC. The phenotype of cells and differentiation into neurons was determined by immunocytochemistry. Dividing cells were labelled with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and neurospheres were generated and passaged. Results: Cells labelled with nestin, neurofilament M (NFM), rhodopsin, or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) grew out from explant cultures. BrdU labelling of these cells occurred only with basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). Dissociated retina and pars plana generated primary neurospheres. From primary neurospheres, NPC were passaged to generate secondary neurospheres, neurons, photoreceptors, and glia. BrdU labelling identified dividing cells from neurospheres that differentiated to express NFM and rhodopsin. Conclusion: The adult human retina contains NPC and may have the potential to replace neurons and photoreceptors. This has implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of retinal disorders and degenerations, including glaucoma, and those disorders associated with retinal scarring.

Salvage of Cadaver Stem Cells (CSCs) as a Routine Procedure: History or Future for Regenerative Medicine

“…These data provided evidence that non-heart-beating donors could be a suitable source of hepatocytes for much longer time periods than previously thought possible [36]. It has also been shown previously that split-thickness skin grafts could be allografted up to 3 weeks after death if stored at 4°C [37], a fact that supports the idea that not only adult differentiated cells survive in the inner mileu of these organs and tissues but also probably stem cells [16]. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have become also an intriguing approach for neurological disease modeling, because neural lineage-specific cell types that retain the donors' complex genetics can be established in vitro.…”

“…In this way, it is reasonable to expect that very soon, there will be studies to improve on the isolation procedures of different types of cadaver stem cells [10]. Therefore, it seems that it will be possible to routinely obtain stem cells of this kind from almost any human organ or tissue as desired [3,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. The procurement of different stem cell types from other sources beside living donors is a true possibility that needs to be explored [23].…”

Neuropeptide Y stimulates retinal neural cell proliferation – involvement of nitric oxide

“…Although there are evidences that retina also contains precursor cells, detected by nestin staining, that continue to produce new neurons during post-natal development and adulthood (Johns 1977;Turner and Cepko 1987;Perron and Harris 2000;Mayer et al 2005) the role of NPY on retinal precursor cells proliferation is unknown.…”

Influence of microglia on retinal progenitor cell turnover and cell replacement

“…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. 44,45 Others have also described from an immortalised Muller glia cell line the potential of cell depots with progenitor cell potential. 46,47 Further, our initial observations demonstrated that cells from epiretinal membranes of surgical specimens expressed nestin.…”