Abstract
AbstractPurpose To investigate whether the neuronally differentiated human dental pulp stem cells (NDhDPSCs) can differentiate into retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and whether the NDhDPSCs can protect primary mouse RGCs against oxidative stress injury.Methods Human dental pulp stem cells were harvested and neuronally differentiated using various conditioned media. By immunohistochemistry, western immunoblots, and real‐time RT‐PCR, their cellular characteristics were evaluated and the best culture condition was determined for differentiation into RGC/glia‐like NDhDPSCs. Regarding glial‐like NDhDPSCs, they were cocultured with primary mouse RGCs under oxidative stress injury.Results In specialized conditioned media, human dental pulp stem cells were differentiated into RGC/glia‐like NDhDPSCs. They expressed RGC/glia‐specfic markers as well as neuronal stem cell markers. When the glia‐like NDhDPSCs were indirectly cocultured with primary mouse RGCs, they protect the RGCs against oxidative stress injury as determined by TUNEL assay.Conclusion The human dental pulp stem cells may differentiate into RGC‐like NDhDPSCs in a suitable culture condition. And the glia‐like NDhDPSCs can protect primary mouse RGCs against oxidative stress injury in vitro.
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