title: Photoreceptor cells from mouse ES cells by co-culture with chick embryonic retina.
abstract: Degeneration of photoreceptors is a consistent and common endpoint in retinal diseases. Herein, we report the efficient induction of photoreceptor-like cells from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells using chick embryonic retina tissue. Undifferentiated mouse ES cells were initially cultured in a preferential condition into a neural lineage, and ES cells were then co-cultured with chick embryonic day 6 (E6) retina tissues. After a 10-day co-culture, approximately 20% of the mouse ES derivatives became immuno-positive for rhodopsin. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated expression of the transcription factor crx and a distinct increase of rod photoreceptor-specific markers, IRBP and recoverin, after the start of the co-culture. These results indicate that co-culture of ES cells with chick embryonic retina tissue is a useful and efficient method for the induction of photoreceptor-like cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, Nara, Kashihara-Shi 630-8522, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugie
authors.forename: Masahide
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: Yukiteru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ouji
authors.forename: Ko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moriya
authors.forename: Shigeaki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishizaka
authors.forename: Toyoaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maruoka
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nawa
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*