الفهرس 
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Abstract
Objective and Purpose:
To determine if human retinal progenitor cells (hRPCs) can improve retinal function upon transplantation in an animal model of retinal degeneration and to determine the effect of different oxygen concentrations on the hRPCs dynamics.
Methods:
hRPCs were grown under high (20%) and low oxygen (3%) conditions. hRPCs were transplanted subretinally in C3H SCID mice, ERG was performed after 3 weeks. ERG responses of the treated eyes were compared with the untreated eyes as a control. Animals were then euthanized and immunohistochemical staining was done to assess the morphology of the transplanted cells in vivo. Another group of treated mice were left up to a8 months to observe for tumor formation.
Results:
ERG showed a statistically significant improvement in the treated group compared to the untreated group. This improvement could be traced after cell injection up to P15. Low oxygen condition was found to promote hRPCs expansion in culture. Immunohistochemical studies of treated eyes showed that hRPCs had the ability to differentiate within the host tissues and to express some photoreceptor markers. Transplanted cells showed evidence of integration through expression of Synaptophysin. No tumor formation was detected in host eyes after 8 months of follow up.
Conclusion:
hRPCs transplantation could be a potential tool for improving retinal function in retinal degenerative disorders. Low oxygen concentration in culture promotes hRPCs expansion.