Induction of photoreceptor-specific phenotypes in adult mammalian iris tissue

Nat Neurosci. 2001 Dec;4(12):1163-4. doi: 10.1038/nn762.

Abstract

We show that iris tissue in the adult rat eye, which is embryonically related to the neural retina, can generate cells expressing differentiated neuronal antigens. In addition, the Crx gene transfer induced the specific antigens for rod photoreceptors in the iris-derived cells, which was not seen in the adult hippocampus-derived neural stem cells. Our findings demonstrate a remarkable plasticity of adult iris tissue with potential clinical applications, as autologous iris tissue can be feasibly obtained with peripheral iridectomy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antigens / genetics*
  • Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • Ciliary Body / cytology
  • Ciliary Body / growth & development
  • Ciliary Body / metabolism
  • Embryonic Induction / genetics*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology
  • Genetic Vectors / physiology
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Indicators and Reagents / metabolism
  • Iris / cytology
  • Iris / growth & development*
  • Iris / metabolism
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Neurofilament Proteins / genetics
  • Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Photoreceptor Cells / cytology
  • Photoreceptor Cells / growth & development*
  • Photoreceptor Cells / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rhodopsin / genetics
  • Rhodopsin / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • cone rod homeobox protein
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • neurofilament protein H
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Rhodopsin