Retinal stem cells in the adult mammalian eye

Science. 2000 Mar 17;287(5460):2032-6. doi: 10.1126/science.287.5460.2032.

Abstract

The mature mammalian retina is thought to lack regenerative capacity. Here, we report the identification of a stem cell in the adult mouse eye, which represents a possible substrate for retinal regeneration. Single pigmented ciliary margin cells clonally proliferate in vitro to form sphere colonies of cells that can differentiate into retinal-specific cell types, including rod photoreceptors, bipolar neurons, and Müller glia. Adult retinal stem cells are localized to the pigmented ciliary margin and not to the central and peripheral retinal pigmented epithelium, indicating that these cells may be homologous to those found in the eye germinal zone of other nonmammalian vertebrates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Division
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cell Size
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Clone Cells
  • Colony-Forming Units Assay
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology
  • Homeodomain Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Mice
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Nestin
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Pigment Epithelium of Eye / cytology
  • Pigment Epithelium of Eye / embryology
  • Retina / cytology*
  • Retina / embryology
  • Retina / metabolism
  • Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / cytology
  • Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nes protein, mouse
  • Nestin
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vsx2 protein, mouse
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2