title: Embryonic stem cells are capable of generating a neuronal network in the adult mouse retina.
abstract: The integration of embryonic stem (ES) cells as well-differentiated neuronal cells into the retinas of adult mice was investigated. ES cells were transplanted in adult mouse retinas by intravitreal injections. Neuronal differentiation of the ES cells was investigated by morphological and immunohistochemical examinations on post-operative days 5 and 30. ES cell apoptosis was examined by in situ terminal dUTP-biotin nick end labeling of DNA fragments. Differentiated ES cells growing along the retinal surface developed fine neuronal cell processes around cell nuclei and generated neuronal networks into the retinal inner plexiform layer (IPL) 30 days after transplantation. The differentiated ES cells expressed retinal and neuronal markers. Many apoptotic cells were recognized in transplanted ES cells at day 5 but not at day 30 after transplantation. ES cells may be useful for neural tissue regeneration in the adult mammalian retina.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University School of Medicine, 40 Tsukasa-machi, Gifu 500-8705, Japan. ahara@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niwa
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kunisada
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kozawa
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mori
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D015415:Biomarkers; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D048429:Cell Size / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D039902:Multipotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers