Stem cells belong to a subgroup of undifferentiated cells in organisms, which has the features of proliferation, self maintaining, and self renewal, and may produce plentiful filial generation with functions. According to the researches on embryonic stem cells, retinal stem cells in adults, and intraocular tumor stem cells, stems cells exist in human embryo, adult retina, and also intraocular tumors like retinoblastoma and choroidal melanoma. Different stem cells transplanted into subretinal interspace or vitreous cavity may differentiate into structure of neurone or retina. Stem cells may become a newest target of the researches on pathogenesis and treatment of diseases. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2007, 23: 83-86)
Objective To observe whether transforming growth factor-beta;2（TGF-beta;2）could promote the differentiation of retinal stem cells in rats cultured in vitro. Methods The retinal stem cells were separated from the embryonic ratsprime; eyes under the dissecting microscope, cultured, and subcultured. The cells were identified by nestin and Chx-10 immunofluorescence. The sixth generation of cells were induced and differentiated, immunofluorescent stained with anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein，anti-opsin, anti-b-tubulin, and anti-protein kinase C, and identified the final cells. Results The cultured cells after induced by TGF-beta;2 differentiated to the mature cells. The results of immunofluorescence showed that the differentiated cells induced by TGF-beta;2 were more than which induced by the embryonic bovine blood serum. Conclusion TGF-beta;2 may induce the retinal stem cell differentiating into retinal cells. The inductive and differentiating effect of TGF-beta;2 is ber than which of the blood serum. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2007, 23: 104-107)