Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into functional retinal pigment epithelium cells.
Dysfunction and loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) leads to degeneration of photoreceptors in age-related macular degeneration and subtypes of retinitis pigmentosa. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) may serve as an unlimited source of RPE cells for transplantation in these blinding conditions. Here we show the directed differentiation of hESCs toward an RPE fate under defined culture conditions. We demonstrate that nicotinamide promotes the differentiation of hESCs to neural and subsequently to RPE fate. In the presence of nicotinamide, factors from the TGF-beta superfamily, which presumably pattern RPE development during embryogenesis, further direct RPE differentiation. The hESC-derived pigmented cells exhibit the morphology, marker expression, and function of authentic RPE and rescue retinal structure and function after transplantation to an animal model of retinal degeneration caused by RPE dysfunction. These results are an important step toward the future use of hESCs to replenish RPE in blinding diseases.
The Hadassah Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Center, The Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy & Department of Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Maria
M
Idelson
Ruslana
R
Alper
Alexey
A
Obolensky
Etti
E
Ben-Shushan
Itzhak
I
Hemo
Nurit
N
Yachimovich-Cohen
Hanita
H
Khaner
Yoav
Y
Smith
Ofer
O
Wiser
Michal
M
Gropp
Malkiel A
MA
Cohen
Sharona
S
Even-Ram
Yael
Y
Berman-Zaken
Limor
L
Matzrafi
Gideon
G
Rechavi
Eyal
E
Banin
Benjamin
B
Reubinoff
D030201:Activin Receptors, Type I / Q000494:pharmacology; D030301:Activin Receptors, Type II / Q000494:pharmacology; D028341:Activins / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000166:cytology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C422405:activin A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D028341:Activins; D030201:Activin Receptors, Type I; D030301:Activin Receptors, Type II