The effects of pigment epithelium-derived factor and associated peptides on the differentiation of retinal ganglion cells from human-induced pluripotent stem cells.
Journal
Experimental eye research
Journal Volume
257
ISSN
1096-0007
Date Issued
2025-08
Author(s)
Abstract
Retinal ganglion cell degeneration is the main cause of irreversible vision loss in optic neuropathies. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and its smaller peptide components (44-mer and 17-mer) have shown neuroprotective effects. In this study, using a stepwise protocol we investigated their effects on human-induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation to retinal ganglion cells. Various concentrations of PEDF, 44-mer and 17-mer were added at day 18. Investigated compounds significantly upregulated the expression of retinal ganglion cells-specific (Brn3b, Sncg), retinal progenitor (Pax6) and neuroaxonal markers (Tau, NFH). They also highly increased Brn3b expression, as well as neurite length and density, supporting their neurotrophic properties. Our findings suggest that PEDF and its smaller peptide components, 44-mer and 17-mer, can be suggested as neuroprotective agents for the promotion of retinal ganglion cell differentiation from human-induced pluripotent stem cells. 44-mer and 17-mer have comparable or even higher effects to full-length PEDF and might also bypass PEDF usage limitations.
Subjects
Differentiation
Neuroprotection
Optic neuropathy
PEDF
RGC
iPSC
SDGs
Type
journal article