c-Kit⁺ cells isolated from human fetal retinas represent a new population of retinal progenitor cells.
Definitive surface markers for retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) are still lacking. Therefore, we sorted c-Kit(+) and stage-specific embryonic antigen-4(-) (SSEA4(-)) retinal cells for further biological characterization. RPCs were isolated from human fetal retinas (gestational age of 12-14 weeks). c-Kit(+)/SSEA4(-) RPCs were sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and their proliferation and differentiation capabilities were evaluated by using immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. The effectiveness and safety were assessed following injection of c-Kit(+)/SSEA4(-) cells into the subretina of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats. c-Kit(+) cells were found in the inner part of the fetal retina. Sorted c-Kit(+)/SSEA4(-) cells expressed retinal stem cell markers. Our results clearly demonstrate the proliferative potential of these cells. Moreover, c-Kit(+)/SSEA4(-) cells differentiated into retinal cells that expressed markers of photoreceptor cells, ganglion cells and glial cells. These cells survived for at least 3 months after transplantation into the host subretinal space. Teratomas were not observed in the c-Kit(+)/SSEA4(-)-cell group. Thus, c-Kit can be used as a surface marker for RPCs, and c-Kit(+)/SSEA4(-) RPCs exhibit the ability to self-renew and differentiate into retinal cells.
Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, He'nan 450003, China.
Peng-Yi
PY
Zhou
Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, He'nan 450003, China Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing 100853, China ghp@zzu.edu.cn yzhengqin@163.com.
Guang-Hua
GH
Peng
Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China Key Lab of Ophthalmology of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Chongqing 400038, China.
Haiwei
H
Xu
Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China Key Lab of Ophthalmology of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Chongqing 400038, China ghp@zzu.edu.cn yzhengqin@163.com.
Zheng Qin
ZQ
Yin
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism; D055746:Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D055746:Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigens; C066584:stage-specific embryonic antigen-4; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
Fetal retinal progenitor cells; Retinal degeneration; Transplantation; c-Kit