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Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Subretinal Transplantation of MACS Purified Photoreceptor Precursor Cells into the Adult Mouse Retina

Subretinal Transplantation of MACS Purified Photoreceptor Precursor Cells into the Adult Mouse Retina

Published on: February 22, 2014

Direct Conversion of Mouse Fibroblasts into Photoreceptor-like Cells.

Jia Xie^1,2,3, Sam Enayati³, Dong Feng Chen³

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University First Hospital, No 1, Xi'anmen Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100034, China.

|February 26, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Scientists converted mouse fibroblasts into photoreceptor-like cells using three key transcription factors. This finding offers a potential new cell source for retinal repair strategies.

Keywords:

AAV infection direct conversion fibroblasts reprogramming photoreceptor

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Last Updated: Jul 2, 2026

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Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes

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Published on: August 27, 2021

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Ophthalmology

Background:

Fibroblasts are common cells that can be found throughout the body.
Photoreceptor cells are essential for vision and are located in the retina.
Loss of photoreceptor cells can lead to blindness.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the direct conversion of mouse fibroblasts into photoreceptor-like cells using transcription factors.
To identify the minimal set of transcription factors required for this cell reprogramming.

Main Methods:

Cloning of five candidate transcription factors (Ascl, Crx, Ngn1, Nrl, Otx2) into an adenoviral vector.
Isolation and infection of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and mouse postnatal fibroblasts (MPFs) with the viral vectors.
Culture of infected fibroblasts in a specialized medium and assessment of induced photoreceptor-like cells via immunofluorescence and RT-PCR.
Transplantation of induced cells into mouse retinas and subsequent evaluation.

Main Results:

A combination of three transcription factors (Crx, Nrl, and Otx2) was sufficient to convert both MEFs and MPFs into photoreceptor-like cells.
The induced cells expressed key photoreceptor proteins, including Recoverin, Rhodopsin, and Opsin.
Transplanted cells integrated into the outer nuclear layer of the host retina.

Conclusions:

Direct conversion of fibroblasts to photoreceptor-like cells is feasible using a defined set of transcription factors.
This method provides a potential cellular model for studying photoreceptor development and disease.
The induced cells represent a potential source for future cell transplantation therapies for retinal degeneration.