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Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Microvesicles: Could They be Used for Retinal Regeneration?

Debora B Farber1,2,3,4, Diana Katsman5,6

  • 1Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 90095-7000, Los Angeles, CA, USA. farber@jsei.ucla.edu.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|October 3, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Mouse embryonic stem cell microvesicles (mESMVs) can reprogram Müller cells. These microvesicles induce de-differentiation and cell cycle re-entry, promoting retinal tissue regeneration.

Area of Science:

  • Stem cell biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) release microvesicles (mESMVs) involved in cell-cell communication.
  • These microvesicles can transfer contents to various cell types, including non-stem cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if mESMVs act as signals for retinal progenitor Müller cells.
  • To determine if mESMVs induce Müller cell de-differentiation and cell cycle re-entry.
  • To assess if these processes lead to differentiation along retinal lineages.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of microvesicles from mouse embryonic stem cells.
  • Co-culture of Müller cells with mESMVs.
  • Analysis of Müller cell de-differentiation, cell cycle status, and differentiation markers.

Main Results:

  • mESMVs were confirmed to induce de-differentiation in Müller cells.
  • ESMV treatment led to Müller cells re-entering the cell cycle.
  • The microenvironment was altered, becoming more permissive for tissue regeneration.

Conclusions:

  • mESMVs are potent signaling agents capable of reprogramming Müller cells.
  • These microvesicles facilitate retinal progenitor cell plasticity.
  • mESMVs hold potential for promoting retinal tissue regeneration strategies.
Keywords:
De-differentiationDifferentiationEmbryonic stem cellsMüller cell culturesMüller progenitor cellsRetinaRetina regenerationRetinal cell lineagesStem cell microvesiclesStem cells

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