Analysis of Retinal Ganglion Cell Development: From Stem Cells to Synapses

Sarah K Ohlemacher, Purdue University

Abstract

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have the ability to self renew inde?nitely while maintaining their pluripotency, allowing for the study of virtually any human cell type in a dish. The focus of the current study was the di?erentiation of hPSCs to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the primary cell type a?ected in optic neuropathies. hPSCs were induced to become retinal cells using a stepwise di?erentiation protocol that allowed for formation of optic vesicle (OV)-like structures. Enrichment of OV like structures allowed for the de?nitive identi?cation of RGCs. RGCs displayed the proper temporal, spatial, and phenotypic characteristics of RGCs developing in vivo. To test the ability of hPSC-RGCs to serve as a disease model, lines were generated from a patient with an E50K mutation in the Optineurin gene, causative for normal tension primary open angle glaucoma. E50K RGCs displayed signi?cantly higher levels of apoptosis compared to a control lines. Apoptosis was reduced with exposure to neuroprotective factors. Lastly, hPSC-derived RGCs were studied for their ability to develop functional features possessed by mature in vivo RGCs. hPSC-derived RGCs displayed a few immature functional features and as such, strategies in which to expedite synaptogenesis using hPSC-derived astrocytes were explored. Astrocyte and RGG co-cultures displayed expedited synaptic and functional maturation, more closely resembling mature in vivo RGCs. Taken together, the results of this study have important implications for the study of RGC development and by extension, the advancement of translational therapies for optic neuropathies.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Meyer, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Neurosciences|Cellular biology|Developmental biology

Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server
.

Share

COinS