Open AccessBone morphogenetic proteins and secreted frizzled related protein 2 maintain the quiescence of adult mammalian retinal stem cells
Author(s) -
Balenci Laurent,
Wonders Carl,
Coles Brenda L.K.,
Clarke Laura,
Kooy Derek
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1002/stem.1470
Subject(s) - biology , microbiology and biotechnology , bone morphogenetic protein , stem cell , retinal , retinal pigment epithelium , immunology , genetics , biochemistry , gene
Rare retinal stem cells (RSCs) within the ciliary epithelium at the retinal margin of the adult mouse and human eyes can divide in vitro in the absence of growth factors to generate clonal, self‐renewing spheres which can generate all the retinal cell types. Since no regenerative properties are seen in situ in the adult mammalian eye, we sought to determine the factors that are involved in the repression of endogenous RSCs. We discovered that factors secreted by the adult lens and cornea block the proliferation of adult RSCs in vitro. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2, BMP4, and secreted frizzled related protein 2 were identified as principal effectors of the anti‐proliferative effects on RSCs. As a similar induced quiescence was observed in vitro on both mouse and human RSCs, targeting these molecules in vivo may reactivate RSCs directly in situ in the eyes of the blind. S tem C ells 2013;31:2218–2230