Eph-ephrin system is expressed in the chicken regenerated retina by stem cells and transdifferentiation.

DI NAPOLI J.; ECHEVERRY N. P; CASTRO I.; FIORE L.; DEL RIO-TSONIS K; SCICOLONE G.

Huerta Grande

Congreso; XXVI Congreso Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencia.; 2011

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencia.

Chick embryo has the capability to regenerate its retina by stem cells of the margin zone (MZ) or transdifferentiation of the retinal pigmented epithelium. To obtain a functional retina, the retinal ganglion cells (RGC) must form topographic connections in the tectum. Ephs and ephrins are the main molecular system involved in this process. Our aim was to analyze the expression of Eph-ephrin system to know if the regenerated retina has the potential to connect to the tectum. Retinectomies and FGF-2 treatment were performed at 4 days embryos (E4). We used immunocitochemistry of 3 and 7 days postretinectomy (3d, 7d), and of E7 and E11 control retina. We compared the expression of Eph-ephrin between 3d - E7 and 7d - E11. 3d and 7d transdifferentiated retina presented less developed layers and lower expression of Ephs and ephrins than E7 and E11 retina. Regenerated retina from MZ presented a similar level of Ephs and ephrins expression than E7 and E11, but only in 7d the layer differentiation was similar to E11. Both kinds of regenerations express the Eph-ephrin system which gives the RGCs the potential to form ordered retinotectal connections. However, as the transdifferentiated retina does not form optic nerve, regeneration from CM cells offers better results. Founded by UBA-CONICET