Mertk gene expression and photoreceptor outer segment phagocytosis by cultured rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are multipotential stem cells that have been used for a broad spectrum of indications. Several investigations have used BM-MSCs to promote photoreceptor survival and suggested that BM-MSCs are a potential source of cell replacement therapy for some forms of retinal degeneration.

Purpose

To investigate the expression of the MER proto-oncogene, tyrosine kinase (Mertk), involved in the disruption of RPE phagocytosis and the onset of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa in rat BM-MSCs and to compare phagocytosis of the photoreceptor outer segment (POS) by BM-MSCs and RPE cells in vitro.

Methods

MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of Brown Norway rats. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and western blot

SUBMITTER: Peng RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5287449 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature