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Induction of Rod and Cone Photoreceptor-Specific Progenitors from Stem Cells

Brian G Ballios1, Saeed Khalili2, Molly S Shoichet3

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. brian.ballios@mail.utoronto.ca.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|December 30, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Stem cell therapy shows promise for retinal degeneration. Understanding photoreceptor genesis aids in developing specific rod and cone cell lineages for transplantation, advancing regenerative medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Retinal degeneration encompasses diseases lacking regenerative therapies.
  • Cellular transplantation, particularly using stem cells, is a potential therapeutic avenue.
  • A key challenge is directing stem cells to specific photoreceptor lineages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review photoreceptor genesis from embryonic progenitor populations.
  • To explore how this knowledge enables manipulation of adult stem cells into specific rod and cone lineages.
  • To discuss lineage mechanisms in establishing fate-specific photoreceptor progenitors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on embryonic photoreceptor development.
  • Analysis of experimental evidence on stem cell manipulation.
  • Discussion of lineage mechanisms in progenitor cell fate determination.

Main Results:

  • Understanding embryonic development provides tools to guide adult stem cells.
  • Specific rod and cone photoreceptor lineages can be generated from stem cell populations.
  • Lineage mechanisms governing photoreceptor progenitor fate are being uncovered.

Conclusions:

  • Insights into photoreceptor genesis can improve in vivo retinal development understanding.
  • This research may identify novel cell sources for retinal transplantation therapies.
  • Advances in lineage specification are crucial for effective stem cell therapeutics in ophthalmology.
Keywords:
Cone photoreceptorDifferentiationFate specificationRetinaRod photoreceptorStem cell

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