Year: 2017
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Labeled cells in the host retina following transplantation of reporter-labeled donor cells were thought to arise from donor cell migration and engraftment into the tissue, but more recently this interpretation has been challenged with new findings that material transfer occurs between host and donor photoreceptors. In-vivo studies are laborious and impractical to investigate the mechanisms of cell engraftment. As such, we have developed a simpler in-vitro assay that uses retinal organoids to monitor photoreceptor precursor engraftment. Dissociated retinal cells have the propensity to self-organize and form spherical laminated structures or organoids that have features in common with normal retinal organization. Here, we characterize the cellular composition and the cell type requirement for efficient organoid formation. We have further developed an engraftment assay, established a cell integration baseline and shown the application of this assay to models of retinal degeneration.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: En Leh Samuel Tsai
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2801577419