CD133+ adult human retinal cells remain undifferentiated in Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF)
2009

CD133+ retinal cells and their response to Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor

Sample size: 10 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Carter Debra A, Dick Andrew D, Mayer Eric J

Primary Institution: University of Bristol

Hypothesis

What effect does Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) have on CD133+ adult human retinal cells?

Conclusion

CD133+ retinal cells can proliferate and their differentiation is influenced by LIF.

Supporting Evidence

  • CD133+ retinal cells showed increased proliferation in the presence of LIF.
  • Neurosphere generation was significantly reduced in the presence of LIF.
  • Withdrawal of LIF after initial exposure allowed for some recovery in neurosphere generation.

Takeaway

Scientists studied special cells in the eye that can grow and change into different types of cells, and found that a certain factor helps keep them from changing too quickly.

Methodology

CD133+ retinal cells were purified from post-mortem human retina using magnetic sorting and cultured with or without LIF to assess their proliferation and differentiation.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in the selection of donor tissue and the effects of post-mortem time on cell viability.

Limitations

The study is limited by the use of post-mortem tissue and the variability in donor age and post-mortem time.

Participant Demographics

Adult human donors, age and sex not specified.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2415-9-1

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