title: The newt reprograms mature RPE cells into a unique multipotent state for retinal regeneration.
abstract: The reprogramming of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in the adult newt immediately after retinal injury is an area of active research for the study of retinal disorders and regeneration. We demonstrate here that unlike embryonic/larval retinal regeneration, adult newt RPE cells are not directly reprogrammed into retinal stem/progenitor cells; instead, they are programmed into a unique state of multipotency that is similar to the early optic vesicle (embryo) but preserves certain adult characteristics. These cells then differentiate into two populations from which the prospective-neural retina and -RPE layers are formed with the correct polarity. Furthermore, our findings provide insight into the similarity between these unique multipotent cells in newts and those implicated in retinal disorders, such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy, in humans. These findings provide a foundation for biomedical approaches that aim to induce retinal self-regeneration for the treatment of RPE-mediated retinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan.
authors.forename: Md Rafiqul
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan.
authors.forename: Kenta
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan.
authors.forename: Martin Miguel
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Casco-Robles
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan.
authors.forename: Ailidana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kunahong
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan.
authors.forename: Wataru
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Inami
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Engineering, Utsunomiya University, Yoto 7-1-2, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8585, Japan.
authors.forename: Fubito
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Toyama
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan.
authors.forename: Fumiaki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maruo
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennoudai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan.
authors.forename: Chikafumi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiba
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming / Q000502:physiology*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007814:Larva / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D023421:Models, Animal; D039902:Multipotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000166:cytology*; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D012455:Salamandridae / Q000502:physiology; D019745:cis-trans-Isomerases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000099178:Retinoid Isomerohydrolase
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; D019745:cis-trans-Isomerases; D000099178:Retinoid Isomerohydrolase; C000605730:PAX6 protein, human