Stem Cells in the Retina

描述(申请人提供)：人的中枢神经系统(CNS)在创伤损伤或退行性疾病后再生的能力有限。然而，在过去的几年里，有几条证据表明，高等脊椎动物，甚至人类的大脑中都产生了新的神经元。虽然在成人中发生的神经发生的数量有限，但刺激修复和再生过程的能力才刚刚开始探索。我们发现，孵化后雏鸟的视网膜能够进行有限数量的再生。在过去的一年里，我们也在大鼠和小鼠的视网膜上发现了类似的过程。在这项建议中，我们概述了一些实验，这些实验将有助于更好地了解调控神经胶质细胞增殖的分子因素，以及它们维持表型的机制。我们还将尝试确定它们的可塑性和作为视网膜祖细胞和视网膜再生底物的能力的基础。我们使用视网膜，这是中枢神经系统的一个容易接近的部分，作为中枢神经系统其余部分的模型。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The central nervous system (CNS) of people has only a limited capacity to regenerate after traumatic damage or degenerative diseases. However, in the past few years several lines of evidence have shown that new neurons are generated in the brains of higher vertebrates, and even humans. While the amount of neurogenesis that occurs in adults is limited, the capacity for stimulating this process for repair and regeneration is just beginning to be explored. We have found that the retina of the post hatch chick is capable of a limited amount of regeneration. In the past year we have also discovered a similar process in the rat and mouse retina. In this proposal we outline experiments that will lead to a better understanding of the molecular factors that regulate glial proliferation, and the mechanisms by which they maintain their phenotype. We also will attempt to define the basis for their plasticity and ability to serve as retinal progenitors and as a substrate for retinal regeneration. We use the retina, an easily accessible part of the central nervous system, as a model for the rest of the CNS.