Neural progenitor cells from postmortem adult human retina.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Mayer
E J
EJ
Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol Eye Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LX, UK.
Carter
D A
DA
Ren
Y
Y
Hughes
E H
EH
Rice
C M
CM
Halfpenny
C A
CA
Scolding
N J
NJ
Dick
A D
AD
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D064231:Nestin; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology*; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000032:analysis; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D003470:Culture Media; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; C577484:NES protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D064231:Nestin; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; C061195:neurofilament protein M; D012243:Rhodopsin