PhD Scientific Days 2025

Poster Session I. - Q: Neurosciences

Müller Glia-Driven Neurogenesis in Adult Human Retina

Előadó neve

Magda Dániel

Előadó munkahelye

Semmelweis University, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology

Előadó e-mail címe

magda.daniel.peter@semmelweis.hu

Az előadás címe

Müller Glia-Driven Neurogenesis in Adult Human Retina

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Daniel Magda¹, Lili Gerendas^1,2, Teadora Tyler¹, Ferenc Kilin¹, Timea Majer¹, Zoltan Z. Nagy²

1: Semmelweis University, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology
2: Semmelweis University, Eye Clinic

Bemutatás módja

Poszter

Szekció

Poster Session I. - Q: Neurosciences

Language of the presentation

English

Preferred session

Neurosciences

Összefoglaló szövege

Introduction
Unlike mammals, certain vertebrate species can regenerate retinal neurons by utilizing Müller glia. These glial cells are able to re-enter the cell cycle and differentiate into various glial and neuronal cell types, functioning as multipotent progenitor cells. The regenerative capabilities of the adult human retina are not well understood.

Aim
This research investigates the proliferative and neurogenic potential of Müller cells in an in vitro environment using a long-term organotypic culture system of the postmortem adult human retina.

Methods
Peripheral retinal explants were collected from more than 30 multi-organ donors ranging in age from 18 to 68 years, including both male and female subjects. The cultures were maintained in the presence of BrdU or EdU nucleoside analogs for 70 days. Different concentrations of FGF-2 were applied to stimulate cellular growth. After the culture period, the cultures were examined using immunohistochemistry and single-cell RNA sequencing techniques.

Results
Using EdU and BrdU immunohistochemistry, considerable cell division was detected predominantly in Müller glial cells. A significant increase in the overall expression of SOX2 and PAX6 proteins was observed in FGF-2-treated cultures. A group of postmitotic cells exhibited robust colocalization of the neurogenesis-related proteins Ascl1, HuC/HuD, LHX4, secretagogin, Chx10, tubulin beta-3, and Crx. A small proportion of the newly generated cells expressed proteins specific to mature retinal neurons. Among these cells, cells expressing proteins specific for rods (Nrl, transducin, rhodopsin), cones (cone arrestin, S-opsin, M/Lopsin), horizontal cells (calbindin), bipolar cells (OTX2, PKC alpha, PCP-2), and ganglion cells (RBPMS, Brn3a, NeuN) were identified. scRNA-seq analysis showed higher levels of neuronal transcripts in Müller cell clusters subjected to FGF-2 treatment.

Conclusion
In the adult human retina, Müller cells maintain the capacity to undergo cell division, and their progeny demonstrate a tendency to differentiate into neural lineages. These findings may facilitate the development of therapies designed to reverse vision loss through induced retinal regeneration.

Funding
None

University

Semmelweis University

Supervisor

Dr. Szél Ágoston

Publication of my abstract

I do not give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.

phd.section.field

after finishing doctoral studies with absolutorium (PhD)

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

poszter

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

nem rendelkezett róla

Előadó

9387

Start

17:24

End

17:30