Abstract
Purpose: :
We have previously demonstrated that cells from persistent fetal vasculature (PFV) are chemo-attracted to the optic nerve head after intravitreal transplantation in mice. In this study we determine whether theses cells acquire the phenotype and molecular characteristics of adult retinal ganglion cells in vitro and in vivo
Methods: :
PFV cells and adult retinal ganglion cells (RGC) were grown in conditioned media collected from human non-pigmentary ciliary epithelial cells, which supports RGC survival. PFV and RGCs were examined for their morphology and proliferative activity using BRDU incorporation as well as expression of progenitor (nestin, Pax6, Chx 10) and adult (NF-200, MAP-5,Thy-1) neuronal cells markers. Cells were also analyzed for progenitor cell and adult neuronal gene expression using qRT-PCR. Experiments were repeated after cells were intravitrealy injected into C57/BL6 mice for 2 months.
Results: :
Undifferentiated cells express nestin, Pax-6 and Chx-10. Differentiated PFV cells exhibit significant cellular homology with RGCs. In specialized medium both cells types acquire RGC-like (Thy-1+) morphology with somato-dendritic (MAP5) and axonal delineation (NF-200), and express similar genetic profiles. Transplanted PFV cells also acquire significant homology with RGCs.
Keywords: ganglion cells • retinal degenerations: cell biology