Muller glia fused with adult stem cells undergo neural differentiation in human retinal models.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Visual impairments are a critical medical hurdle to be addressed in modern society. Müller glia (MG) have regenerative potential in the retina in lower vertebrates, but not in mammals. However, in mice, in vivo cell fusion between MG and adult stem cells forms hybrids that can partially regenerate ablated neurons.

Methods

We used organotypic cultures of human retina and preparations of dissociated cells to test the hypothesis that cell fusion between human MG and adult stem cells can induce neuronal regeneration in human systems. Moreover, we established a microinjection system for transplanting human retinal organoids to demonstrate hybrid differentiation.

Findings

We first found that cell fusion occurs between MG and adult stem cells, in organotypic cultu

SUBMITTER: Bonilla-Pons SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8917309 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature