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Updated: Mar 23, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Vision Restoration - Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Retinal Diseases
Published on: October 6, 2023
Progranulin promotes the retinal precursor cell proliferation and the photoreceptor differentiation in the mouse
Yoshiki Kuse1, Kazuhiro Tsuruma1, Sou Sugitani1
1Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biofunctional Evaluation, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, 1-25-4 Daigaku-nishi, Gifu 501-1196, Japan.
Insights
Progranulin (PGRN) promotes retinal regeneration by supporting photoreceptor cell differentiation. This growth factor may enhance vision recovery through the HGF receptor pathway after retinal damage.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Progranulin (PGRN) is a secreted growth factor involved in development, repair, and inflammation.
- Adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned medium (ASC-CM) is a known source of PGRN.
- The role of PGRN in mammalian retinal regeneration remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of PGRN in promoting retinal regeneration.
- To evaluate the effect of ASC-CM on photoreceptor cell differentiation in a mouse model of retinal damage.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-induced retinal damage model in mice.
- Administered ASC-CM to assess its impact on retinal cell proliferation and differentiation.
- Quantified BrdU(+) and rhodopsin(+) cells to evaluate photoreceptor cell regeneration.
- Investigated the involvement of the HGF receptor pathway using SU11274 inhibitor.
Main Results:
- ASC-CM treatment promoted photoreceptor cell differentiation following retinal damage.
- PGRN administration increased the number of BrdU(+) cells, including some Rx-positive retinal precursor cells.
- PGRN enhanced the population of rhodopsin(+) photoreceptor cells in retinal cultures.
- Inhibition of the HGF receptor pathway with SU11274 partially blocked PGRN's pro-regenerative effects.
Conclusions:
- PGRN plays a significant role in promoting retinal regeneration.
- PGRN may facilitate the differentiation of retinal precursor cells into photoreceptor cells.
- The HGF receptor signaling pathway is implicated in PGRN-mediated retinal regeneration.
Abstract:
Progranulin (PGRN) is a secreted growth factor associated with embryo development, tissue repair, and inflammation. In a previous study, we showed that adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned medium (ASC-CM) is rich in PGRN. In the present study, we investigated whether PGRN is associated with retinal regeneration in the mammalian retina. We evaluated the effect of ASC-CM using the N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced retinal damage model in mice. ASC-CM promoted the differentiation of photoreceptor cells following retinal damage. PGRN increased the number of BrdU(+) cells in the outer nuclear layer following retinal damage some of which were Rx (retinal precursor cell marker) positive. PGRN also increased the number of rhodopsin(+) photoreceptor cells in primary retinal cell cultures. SU11274, a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor inhibitor, attenuated the increase. These findings suggest that PGRN may affect the differentiation of retinal precursor cells to photoreceptor cells through the HGF receptor signaling pathway.
