April 2010
Volume 51, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2010
Stem Cells Play a Key Role in the Formation of the Human Choroidal Vasculature and Mural Cells
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • P. Hu
    Department of Anatomy, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
  • L. Baxter
    Department of Anatomy, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
  • M. Koina
    Department of Pathology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
  • J. R. McColm
    Department of Anatomy, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
  • J. Dahlstrom
    Department of Pathology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
  • E. Bean
    Department of Pathology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
  • T. Chan-Ling
    Department of Anatomy, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  P. Hu, None; L. Baxter, None; M. Koina, None; J.R. McColm, None; J. Dahlstrom, None; E. Bean, None; T. Chan-Ling, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  NHMRC Project Grants & Fellowship (#464859, #57100), Baxter Charitable Foundation, Macular Vision Loss Support Society, Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2010, Vol.51, 2664. doi:
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      P. Hu, L. Baxter, M. Koina, J. R. McColm, J. Dahlstrom, E. Bean, T. Chan-Ling; Stem Cells Play a Key Role in the Formation of the Human Choroidal Vasculature and Mural Cells. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2010;51(13):2664.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose: : To undertake the first complete study of human choroidal vascular formation & determine the role played by stem cells.

Methods: : Human foetal eyes aged 8-40 weeks gestation (WG) were examined. Choroidal & retinal wholemounts & histological sections were examined using antibodies for stem & precursor cell populations: Vimentin, CD14, CD34, CD39 & αSMA; the vasculature: CD39, CD34, CD31 & Factor VIII; & mural cells: αSMA, Desmin, NG2, Calponin & Caldesmon. Endothelial proliferation was examined by double-labelling with BrdU & CD34. TEM and H & E histology was also undertaken.

Results: : Vimentin+ mesenchymal precursor cells were evident in the region of the incipient choroid at 9 WG, & down regulation of Vimentin was evident with maturation. CD14+ vascular precursor cells (VPCs) were evident in the choroidal stroma throughout foetal life. CD39+/CD34+ VPCs were evident within the choroidal stroma from 10 WG, interspersed amongst CD39+ solid vascular chords in the central one-third of the choroid surrounding the optic nerve head. SMA+ mural precursor cells (MPCs) were scattered & isolated over the primordial vascular tree at 12WG. Non vascular-associated αSMA+/CD34+/--/ NG2+/desmin- presumed MPCs were associated with immature choroidal blood vessels at 12, 18 & 20 WG. Calponin & caldesmon were expressed only on the large vessels.

Conclusions: : We conclude that formation of the human choroid takes place via transformation from Vimentin+ mesenchymal precursor cells to CD14+/CD39+/αSMA+ precursor cells representing the monocytic vascular and mural cell lineages respectively. Vasculogenesis plays a greater role in formation of human choroid than previously reported but angiogenesis also contribute to vascular density in the formation of the human choroid. We have shown that CD44+ stem cells give rise to αSMA+ smooth muscle cells & CD39+ vascular endothelial cells in the human choroid.

Keywords: retinal development • choroid: neovascularization • age-related macular degeneration 
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