视神经细胞 z-bo 2020-10-20 380

　　Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a method to transform human stem cells into retinal nerve cells, which are nerve cells in the retina that can transmit visual signals to the brain. The death or damage of these cells can cause vision loss, such as glaucoma and multiple sclerosis (MS).

　　"Our research not only enables people to have a deeper understanding of the biological functions of the optic nerve, but also provides a cell model for the development of drugs to prevent and treat vision disorders." Donald Zack, researcher at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Said the doctor. College ophthalmologist. "In addition, this will also help develop cell transplantation methods to restore vision in patients with glaucoma or MS."

　　The detailed process of the entire experiment transformed a series of human embryonic stem cells into fluorescent journals. It was published in the "Science and Technology Report". Distinguish between retinal nerve cells and distinguish the characteristics of cells produced using such cells. The researchers used a genome editing technology called CRISPR-Cas9 to insert fluorescent protein genes into the DNA of stem cells. The red fluorescent protein will only be expressed when the other gene BRN3B (POU4F2) is expressed. BRN3B is expressed by mature retinal nerve cells, so when stem cells become retinal nerve cells, they will appear red under the microscope.

　　Then, they used fluorescence-activated cell screening to isolate and purify the newly generated retinal nerve cells. Zack said the newly generated cells have the same biological and physical properties as natural retinal nerve cells. The researchers also found that adding a chemical substance called forskolin on the first day of the experiment can increase the efficiency of retinal nerve cell production. Researchers have found that forskolin is widely used for weight loss and muscle formation, and is often used as a Chinese herbal medicine to treat various diseases, but it can prevent vision loss and other diseases. I remember this is not always safe and effective. Valentin Surch, a senior researcher in the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Molecular Biology at Hopkins University, said: "On the 30th day of culture, you can see clear clusters of fluorescent cells under the microscope." The doctor said. Served at Novartis. Sluch completed the investigation before joining Novartis.

　　"When I succeeded for the first time, I was very happy," Slucci said. "I almost jumped up and ran to talk to my colleague. It seems that the cells can be quickly isolated for research, but it was impossible before."

　　"This is just the beginning." We know that's the way it is," Zack added. In subsequent research, Tao's laboratory aimed to identify other genes related to the survival and function of optic nerve cells. "I hope these cells can Provide a new method for the treatment of glaucoma and other types of optic nerve diseases. "

　　In order to make these cells available for the treatment of MS, we are cooperating with the Multiple Sclerosis Research Center Peter Calabresi at Hopkins University Zach. Director and professor of neurology.