极小胚胎样干细胞研究现状

视网膜退行性疾病包括视网膜色素变性、增殖性糖尿病性视网膜病变、增殖性玻璃体视网膜病变和年龄相关性黄斑变性等,是一类由于视网膜感光细胞变性丢失而引起的不可逆性致盲性疾病.干细胞移植技术为此类疾病带来了一线希望,干细胞整合入视网膜,分化成为特定的感光细胞,可以重建视网膜功能.最近,科学家在骨髓和一些成人组织中发现了一种表达CXCR4受体的干细胞,称为极小胚胎样干细胞（VSELSCs）,这种细胞表达多种胚胎细胞及原生殖细胞的标志物,有实验证实其具有分化为三个胚层细胞的潜能.VSELSCs这种可以定向分化的特性预示了它在治疗退行性疾病中的广阔前景.本研究主要着眼于VSELSCs的研究现状,探讨其在视网膜退行性疾病中的应用前景.

Updated research of very small embryonic-like stem cells

Retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, etc., which culminate in photoreceptor loss, are the leading causes of irreversible blindness. The development of stem cell transplanation gives hope for patients who are suffering from these diseases. Recently, a population of very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELSCs) which express CXCR4, is identified in adult tissue,especially in bone marrow. VSELSCs express several markers of embryonic and primordial germ cells,and research has shown that these cells may differentiate into cells from all three germ layers. With their capacity to give rise to specialized cells, VSELSCs are identified as promising candidates for degenerative diseases. This review focuses on current research on VSELSCs, and discusses potential applications in treating retinal degenerative diseases.