NOTCH inhibition augments production of PKCα+ neurons in short term prenatal human retinal neurospheres.

<p>The percentages of cells immunopositive for (<b>A</b>) ASCL1 and (<b>B</b>) other selected hRPC and neuronal markers following DAPT treatment was determined by immunocytochemistry. (<b>C</b>) RT-PCR analysis was used to evaluate expression of VSX2 and ASCL1 in prenatal human retinal tissue and short (1 week) and long (2 month) term prenatal retinal neurosphere cultures. (<b>D</b>) Phase photomicrographs of dissociated prenatal retinal neurospheres reveal profound cell morphology differences between short term and long term cultures. Cell counts are expressed as % immunopositive cells. *p<0.05; **p<0.01. Scale bars in panel E: 50 μm.