Low oxygen culture conditions for maintaining retinal progenitor cell multipotency

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for culturing human retinal progenitor cells under low oxygen conditions to allow the cells to retain the ability to differentiate into photoreceptors following transplantation. The described methods provide cells that can treat a number of ocular diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising an expanded population of multipotent retinal progenitor cells and an exogenously added stabilizer, wherein more than 60% of the expanded population of the multipotent retinal progenitor cells express heterodimers of both HIF1 alpha with aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT also known as HIF10) and HIF2 alpha with aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2 (ARNT2 also known as HIF20) and wherein the expanded population of retinal progenitor cells were expanded in culture media at a level of from about 1% to about 6% oxygen concentration. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the retinal progenitor cells are obtained from post-natal retinal tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the carrier is a biocompatible matrix. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of any one of  claims 1  to  4 , further comprising a preservative. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of any one of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the multipotent retinal progenitor cells are selected from the group of mouse, rat, simian, or human. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the multipotent retinal progenitor cells are selected from the group of mouse, rat, simian, or human. 
     
     
         8 . A method of treating an eye, comprising administering the composition of  claim 1  or  2  to the eye of a subject in need thereof.