Microarray Analysis Reveals Retinal Stem Cell Characteristics of the Adult Human Eye.

In western countries, retinitis pigmentosa (RP) affects 1/3,500 individuals and age related macula degeneration (AMD) affects 1% to 3% of the population aged over 60. In vitro generation of retinal cells is thus a promising tool to screen protective drugs and to provide an unlimited cell source for transplantation. However, one main limitation is the amount of cells available. Stem cells, that can generate unlimited quantity of cells, could overcome this hurdle. Indeed, stem cells are defined by three characteristics: the ability to produce a large population of cells (expansion) and the potency, to produce the differentiated cells composing the organ from which the stem cells are originated. They are also able to self-renew indefinitely: for instance haematopoietic stem cells, located in the bone marrow, can expand, divide and generate differentiated cells into the diverse lineages throughout the life, the stem cells conserving its status (Till et al, 1961). Intestinal stem cells also are able to regenerate the intestine all along life (Potten et al, 1975). The other stem cells properties are the ability to produce a large population of cells (expansion) and as well as the differentiated cells composing the organ from which they originated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]