Generation of self-induced retinal ganglion cells with functioning axons from pluripotent stem cells.

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H02566
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Ophthalmology
• Research Institution: National Center for Child Health and Development
• Principal Investigator: AZUMA Noriyuki 国立研究開発法人国立成育医療研究センター, 感覚器・形態外科部, 医長 (10159395)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 田中 卓 国立研究開発法人国立成育医療研究センター, 視覚科学研究室, 研究員 (20443400) ; 渡辺 修一 埼玉医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (60138120) ; 田丸 文信 埼玉医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (70337541)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 網膜神経節細胞 / 軸索 / iPS細胞 / ES細胞 / 軸索流 / 電気生理学的反応

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We generated functional retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from human or murine induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs) and ES cells (ESCs). The present study aims to investigate usefulness of the RGCs for reproducing medicine and drug development.
We established a procedure to assess the effects of neurotrophic and chemorepellent factors. The effects of direct and local administration of each agent on axonal projection were well evaluated. Locally sustained agents changed axon pathfinding.
We transplanted RGCs generated form murine or human ESCs and iPSCs into the vitreous cavity of mice. The donor RGCs engrafted in the recipient retina, and elongated axons into the optic nerve.

Free Research Field

眼科学