A new study reveals how photoreceptors grown from stem cells might extend biological wires, known as axons, to contact existing neurons.
The finding has implications for future treatment of retinal diseases that cause blindness, including age-related macular degeneration and rare diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease and Best disease.
Emily Kumlien (608)516-9154ekumlien@uwhealth.org
People living with these diseases, which are currently uncurable, ultimately lose vision due to destruction of light sensitive cells called rods and cones. Neuroscientists are working on therapies to grow these cells, also known as photoreceptors, from stem cells and transplant them to restore damaged tissue.
However, while the ability to manufacture lab-grown photoreceptors has advanced considerably, it remains challenging to install them. Once transplanted, the photoreceptors must grow axons to connect with existing inner neurons so the light they detect is transmitted via signals to the brain.
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health research team showed that photoreceptors derived from stem cells are initially able to grow axons on their own to connect to other cells but lose that ability within 40 to 80 days. However, they found that mobile helper cells can assist photoreceptors that are no longer able of independently growing axons by pulling and dramatically stretching parts of them.
An image from thestudyis on the cover of the journalCell Reports.
Understanding how photoreceptors reach out to make these connections brings us another step closer to being able to transplant stemcell derived photoreceptors to cure blindness, said Timothy Gomez, professor of neuroscience at the school, and the studys senior author.
Sarah Rempel, a postdoctoral researcher who led the study and works in the Gomez lab, collaborated with the research team led by co-author Dr. David Gamm, professor of ophthalmology and visual science to successfully generate retinal organoids. Retinal organoids are three-dimensional models of the retina derived from human pluripotent stem cells.
As the organoids developed, the human pluripotent stem cell-derived photoreceptors began to produce cone cells, which are critical for human daytime vision. This started around day 30. They also produced rod cells, which allow vision in low-light conditions, which began around day 70.
Photoreceptors undergo axon elongation
Then the team used time-lapse imaging of the living cells to watch as the axons extended from the photoreceptors toward their target cells. While the ends of recently generated cone photoreceptor axons could actively elongate, their window to do so was surprisingly short; by day 80 they lost this ability. Rod photoreceptors, in contrast, completely lacked the ability to extend axons on their own.
The team discovered that older laboratory-grown photoreceptor cells could extend axons to make connections if they were grown along with other, motile retinal cells. Unexpectedly, axons of the photoreceptor cells could attach themselves to these cells and be pulled along for the ride.
The team is also exploring the possibility of encouraging remaining retinal cells targeted by newly transplanted photoreceptors to reach out as well.
The study is an important step in developing stem cell therapies for blindness, said Gamm, who is also director of the McPherson Eye Research Institute and an expert in retinal stem cells and their applications to human disease.
Work here at UWMadison is really converging on this field, he explained. We are beginning to understand core principles of how we might replace photoreceptor cells in people with advanced stages of blinding disease.
Other members of the research team include Madalynn Welch, Allison Ludwig, M. Joseph Phillips and Yochana Kancherla from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, and Dr. Donald Zack of Johns Hopkins University.
The work was supported by a grant from the National Eye Institute Audacious Goals Initiative, which is aimed at regenerating photoreceptors and other cell types in the human retina.
Additional funding was provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (5R01 NS113314-02, 5R01 NS041564, and 1R21 NS113314-01A1), the National Eye Institute (NEI) ( U01 EY027266-01 ), the Retina Research Foundation Emmett Humble Chair, the Sarah E. Slack Prevention of Blindness Fund (a component fund of the Muskingum County Community Foundation), the McPherson Eye Research Institute Sandra Lemke Trout Chair in Eye Research, the Guerrieri Family Foundation, and Research to Prevent Blindness, a core grant to the Waisman Center (NICHHD U54 HD090256), NEI grant T32 EY027721, the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine DVM/PhD Program, NEI grant U24 EY029890, and a Kirschstein NRSA Predoctoral Fellowship ( NEI grant F30 EY031230 ).
Read the rest here:
UW eye research uncovers how stem cell photoreceptors reach their targets - University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
- International Stem Cell Corporation Provides Strategic Update on its Skin Care Program [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Provides Strategic Update on its Skin Care Program [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- CSC news roundup 2010-04-11 [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- CSC news roundup 2010-04-11 [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Engages Leading Immunogeneticists to Advance its Industry-first, Immune-matched Stem Cells [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Engages Leading Immunogeneticists to Advance its Industry-first, Immune-matched Stem Cells [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- MicroRNA therapy could be a powerful tool to correct the CSC dysregulation? [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- MicroRNA therapy could be a powerful tool to correct the CSC dysregulation? [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-04-18 [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-04-18 [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Sessions on CSC Therapeutics at AACR10 [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- Sessions on CSC Therapeutics at AACR10 [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-01 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- More about presentations at AACR10 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- More about presentations at AACR10 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-01 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Signs Financing Agreement [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Signs Financing Agreement [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-08 [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-08 [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell and Absorption Systems Confirm Results Showing Stem Cell Derived Corneal Tissue as an Alternative to Animals for Drug Testing [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell and Absorption Systems Confirm Results Showing Stem Cell Derived Corneal Tissue as an Alternative to Animals for Drug Testing [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2010]
- Generic drug a potential treatment for glioblastoma? [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- Generic drug a potential treatment for glioblastoma? [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- US Patent: Isolation and use of solid tumor stem cells [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2010]
- US Patent: Isolation and use of solid tumor stem cells [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and The Automation Partnership Enter into Strategic Alliance to Automate Cornea Tissue Production [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and The Automation Partnership Enter into Strategic Alliance to Automate Cornea Tissue Production [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2010]
- An evolving concept of CSC in tumor biology [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2010]
- An evolving concept of CSC in tumor biology [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Moves International Cornea Development Program Forward [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Moves International Cornea Development Program Forward [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2010]
- Phase I clinical trial of ICT-107 [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2010]
- Phase I clinical trial of ICT-107 [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2010]
- CSCs responsible for metastasis identified [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2010]
- CSCs responsible for metastasis identified [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation's Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Patent is Approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation's Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Patent is Approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Company Update Conference Call. ISCO Chairman Kenneth Aldrich to Discuss 'Status of the Company' [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Company Update Conference Call. ISCO Chairman Kenneth Aldrich to Discuss 'Status of the Company' [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2010]
- Decitabine may target ovarian CSCs? [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2010]
- Decitabine may target ovarian CSCs? [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2010]
- New Article from North County Times - BIOTECH: International Stem Cell Clears Debt, Gets Patent [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- New Article from North County Times - BIOTECH: International Stem Cell Clears Debt, Gets Patent [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Patent application: Levels of Oct1 as a method of identifying CSCs [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2010]
- Patent application: Levels of Oct1 as a method of identifying CSCs [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2010]
- OncoMed Has 'Wnt' in its Sails [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- OncoMed Has 'Wnt' in its Sails [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Names Charles J. Casamento to Board of Directors [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Names Charles J. Casamento to Board of Directors [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB) Announces New Patent Issuance Under License Agreement [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB) Announces New Patent Issuance Under License Agreement [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2010]
- California Health Institute Interviews Jeffrey Janus - CEO of Lifeline Cell Technology [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2010]
- California Health Institute Interviews Jeffrey Janus - CEO of Lifeline Cell Technology [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation - Excerpt from Agora Financial's Breakthrough Technology Alert by Patrick Cox [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation - Excerpt from Agora Financial's Breakthrough Technology Alert by Patrick Cox [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2010]
- Melanoma-initiating cells identified [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2010]
- Melanoma-initiating cells identified [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sankara Nethralaya Launch Collaboration to Develop Stem Cell-Based Treatment for Corneal Vision Impairment [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sankara Nethralaya Launch Collaboration to Develop Stem Cell-Based Treatment for Corneal Vision Impairment [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2010]
- Two recent OA articles [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2010]
- Two recent OA articles [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2010]
- Innovative Researcher Vlog [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2010]
- Innovative Researcher Vlog [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2010]
- More about salinomycin [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2010]
- More about salinomycin [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Plans $10 Million Financing Through European Subsidiary [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Plans $10 Million Financing Through European Subsidiary [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2010]
- Irradiating brain's stem cell niche [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2010]
- Irradiating brain's stem cell niche [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2010]
- Prostate CSCs sensitive to gamma-tocotrienol? [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2010]
- Prostate CSCs sensitive to gamma-tocotrienol? [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2010]
- Researchers Study CSCs as Therapeutic Targets for Mesothelioma [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- Researchers Study CSCs as Therapeutic Targets for Mesothelioma [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sristi Biosciences Enter Distribution Agreement for Lifeline Cell Technology's Brand of Human Cell Culture... [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- Disagreement about melanoma CSCs [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sristi Biosciences Enter Distribution Agreement for Lifeline Cell Technology's Brand of Human Cell Culture... [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- Disagreement about melanoma CSCs [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- Cell of origin for human prostate cancer [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2010]
- Cell of origin for human prostate cancer [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2010]