Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
07:43
Subretinal Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Tissue in a Feline Large Animal Model
Published on: August 5, 2021
Stem cells set their sights on retinitis pigmentosa
Jeannette L Bennicelli1, Jean Bennett
1is at the F.M. Kirby Center for Molecular Ophthalmology , University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine , Philadelphia , United States jbennice@mail.med.upenn.edu.
Elife
|August 31, 2013
Summary
Scientists reprogrammed inherited blindness patient skin cells into retinal cells. These cells were then successfully transplanted into mice, offering potential new avenues for vision restoration research.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Inherited blindness encompasses a group of genetic disorders leading to progressive vision loss.
- Current treatments for inherited blindness are limited, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of reprogramming patient-derived skin cells into functional retinal cells.
- To assess the efficacy and safety of transplanting these reprogrammed cells into an animal model.
Main Methods:
- Skin cells were obtained from a patient diagnosed with a form of inherited blindness.
- Cellular reprogramming techniques were employed to differentiate skin cells into retinal progenitor cells.
- The reprogrammed retinal cells were transplanted into the eyes of immunodeficient mice.
Main Results:
- Successful reprogramming of skin cells into retinal cells was achieved.
- Transplanted retinal cells survived and integrated into the host mouse retina.
- Evidence of functional improvement or restoration was observed in the recipient mice.
Conclusions:
- Reprogramming somatic cells offers a promising patient-specific approach for generating retinal cells.
- Cellular transplantation holds potential for treating inherited blindness, warranting further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation
The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...
00:50Unrenewable Cells
In humans, the photoreceptor cells of the eye and sensory hair cells of the ear lack stem cells. These cells are thus unrenewable and cannot be replaced when they are damaged or destroyed.
Photoreceptors
The retina is composed of several layers and contains specialized cells called photoreceptors. The photoreceptors (rods and cones) change their membrane potential when stimulated by light energy. There are two types of photoreceptors—rods and cones—which differ in the shape of their outer...
Photoreceptors
The retina is composed of several layers and contains specialized cells called photoreceptors. The photoreceptors (rods and cones) change their membrane potential when stimulated by light energy. There are two types of photoreceptors—rods and cones—which differ in the shape of their outer...