Single-cell RNA sequencing unravels the transcriptional network underlying zebrafish retina regeneration

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Abstract

In the lesioned zebrafish retina, Müller glia produce multipotent retinal progenitors that generate all retinal neurons, replacing lost cell types. To study the molecular mechanisms linking Müller glia reactivity to progenitor production and neuronal differentiation, we used single-cell RNA sequencing of Müller glia, progenitors and regenerated progeny from uninjured and light-lesioned retinae. We discover an injury-induced Müller glia differentiation trajectory that leads into a cell population with a hybrid identity expressing marker genes of Müller glia and progenitors. A glial self-renewal and a neurogenic trajectory depart from the hybrid cell population. We further observe that neurogenic progenitors progressively differentiate to generate retinal ganglion cells first and bipolar cells last, similar to the events observed during retinal development. Our work provides a comprehensive description of Müller glia and progenitor transcriptional changes and fate decisions in the regenerating retina, which are key to tailor cell differentiation and replacement therapies for retinal dystrophies in humans.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numberRP86507
Number of pages35
JournaleLife
Volume12 (2023)
Publication statusPublished - 21 Nov 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-6466-2589/work/147673181
ORCID /0000-0003-0283-0211/work/147674948
Scopus 85164924974
ORCID /0000-0001-6466-2589/work/149081488
PubMed 37988404