Authors:
J. S. Meyer, E. E. Capowski, R. L. Shearer, K. A. Wallace, L. S. Wright, D. M. Gamm
Summary:
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to provide comprehensive model systems for the earliest stages of human ontogenesis. To serve in this capacity, hESCs must undergo a targeted, stepwise differentiation process that follows a normal developmental timeline. We have previously demonstrated that hESCs could be guided to differentiate in a manner that meets each of the major developmental stages of human retinogenesis. However, this differentiation occurred within a mixed neural population that made it difficult to distinguish developmental events that were specific to the retinal population. In order for hESCs to effectively serve as a model system, it would be important to isolate these hESC-derived retinal progenitors from the remaining anterior neural population. In the current study, we describe a method for identifying hESC-derived neurospheres that are highly enriched for retinal progenitor cells. Upon the isolation of these retinal neurospheres, greater than 90 percent of all cells expressed the definitive neural retinal progenitor marker Vsx2 (also called Chx10). Upon further maturation of this population of cells, major classes of differentiated retinal cell types were identified. Furthermore, production of retinal cells at various stages of differentiation was influenced by the addition of specific factors at defined times in culture. Thus, this study demonstrates that, under appropriate conditions, hESCs possess the potential to serve as a reliable, comprehensive and specific model system for human retinogenesis.
Source:
Presented at Neuroscience 2009, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. Scientific Presentation: Sunday, Oct. 18, 8–8:15 a.m., Room S100A