title: Efficient Production of Photoreceptor Precursor Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells.
abstract: Transplantation of photoreceptor precursor cells (PPCs) differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is a promising approach to treat common blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. However, existing PPC generation methods are inefficient. To enhance differentiation protocols for rapid and high-yield production of PPCs, we focused on optimizing the handling of the cells by including feeder-independent growth of hESCs, using size-controlled embryoid bodies (EBs), and addition of triiodothyronine (T3) and taurine to the differentiation medium, with subsequent removal of undifferentiated cells via negative cell-selection. Our novel protocol produces higher yields of PPCs than previously reported while reducing the time required for differentiation, which will help understand retinal diseases and facilitate large-scale preclinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Eye Care Centre, University of British Columbia, 2550 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 3N9, anaty@mail.ubc.ca.
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yanai
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laver
authors.forename: Aaron W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Joe
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gregory-Evans
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D000066449:Human Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin / Q000494:pharmacology; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen