Generation of retinal neurons
(Yvan Arsenijevic)

One of the therapeutic strategies proposed for retinal degenerations is to replace the type of cells that were lost in the retina, mainly photoreceptors. The purpose of our work is to generate, in vitro, a large number of retinal stem cells (RSCs) committed towards the photoreceptor fate. We showed that after long term expansion (until passage 20) mice RSCs, characterized as radial glial cells, maintain the capacity to generate a large percentage of retinal neurons, including cells committed to the photoreceptor pathway (approximately 30-35 % of the total cell population)(Soussi et al 2006). Moreover, the analysis of the differentiated cells by multiple approaches and parameters confirmed the acquisition of the photoreceptor fate. In this study, the high yield of photoreceptors in a controlled time and environment represent a promising tool to study neurogenesis, to screen photoreceptor protective drugs, as well as to provide an unlimited cell source for transplantation studies in animal models of retinal degeneration. Next, we will determine using transplantation studies which are the cells the most adequate to integrate a degenerating retina, non differentiated RSCs versus differentiated photoreceptors.

10.08.10