In vitro phenotypic modification of pigmented epithelium cells from human eye at early stages of development.

摘要

Multipotent characteristics of human fetal (9-11.5 weeks) pigmented epithelial retinal cells and capacity to transdifferentiation in neuronal direction were studied in vitro under different culturing conditions. The cultures were analyzed using a wide spectrum of antibodies. It was found that pigmented epithelium of human eye is a heterogeneous cell population with three subtypes differing by adhesion characteristics, migration, transdifferentiation potential, and reaction to microenvironmental factors. Subtype 1 cells steadily retain their epithelial characteristics, subtype 2 cells change their morphotype and produce neuroblast and photoreceptor cell proteins, and subtype 3 cells form free floating spheres and are capable to multipotent differentiation.