Distinct neurogenic potential in the retinal margin and the pars plana of mammalian eye.

ABSTRACT: Unlike many other vertebrates, a healthy mammalian retina does not grow throughout life and lacks a ciliary margin zone capable of actively generating new neurons. The isolation of stem-like cells from the ciliary epithelium has led to speculation that the mammalian retina and/or surrounding tissues may retain neurogenic potential capable of responding to retinal damage. Using genetically altered mouse lines with varying degrees of retinal ganglion cell loss, we show that the retinal margin responds to ganglion cell loss by prolonging specific neurogenic activity, as characterized by increased numbers of Atoh7(LacZ)-expressing cells. The extent of neurogenic activity correlated with the degree of ganglion cell deficiency. In the pars plana, but not the retinal margin, cells remain prolifer

SUBMITTER: Kiyama T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3462447 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature