METHOD FOR PRODUCING RETINAL NERVE CELLS FROM STEM/PROGENITOR CELLS DERIVED FROM IRIS TISSUE AND RETINAL NERVE CELLS OBTAINED BY SAME METHOD

摘要

A method for producing retinal nerve cells by inducing differentiation of iris pigmented epithelial cells into the retinal nerve cells. In a first method, iris pigmented epithelial cells derived from a mammal and embryo retinal stem cells derived from a bird are co-cultured. In a second method, iris pigmented epithelial cells of a bird or a mammal is isolated, and the iris pigmented epithelial cells is subjected to adherent culturing. According to these methods, the retinal nerve cells can be produced by using iris pigmented epithelial cells collected from a patient per se. Therefore, there is a possibility that highly effective regenerative medical treatment can be realized.