Endothelial stem cells of the retinal vasculature reside in the optic nerve

Sakimoto, Susumu, Takigawa, Toru, Oguchi, Akiko, Yoshihara, Masahito, Sekito, Sho, Ueda, Chihiro, Shiraki, Akihiko, Shiki, Kosuke, Yamaguchi, Kaito, Fukushima, Yoko, Kitajima, Shigetaka, Murakawa, Yasuhiro, Quantock, Andrew J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2484-3120 and Nishida, Kohji 2026. Endothelial stem cells of the retinal vasculature reside in the optic nerve. Nature Communications 17 (1) , 606. 10.1038/s41467-025-68201-6

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Abstract

Cells of the retina, photoreceptors especially, are highly metabolically active with substantial energy requirements. Accordingly, the effective delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the retina via the retinal vasculature is key to tissue function. Indeed, a disturbed retinal blood supply, especially if prolonged, can result in a loss of vision. Vascular endothelial cells, which form the inner lining of blood vessels, are pivotal in ensuring a healthy blood circulation in many tissues, including the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye. However, the mechanism by which vascular endothelial cells maintain a functional retina (and aid the healing of a damaged one) is not understood. Here, through single-cell RNA sequencing, colony-forming assays and lineage tracing analysis, we provide data that point to a new regulatory system by which vascular endothelial cells are supplied to the retina by a reservoir of stem/progenitor cells in the optic nerve.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Optometry and Vision Sciences
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/, Type: open-access
Publisher:	Nature Research
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	28 January 2026
Date of Acceptance:	22 December 2025
Last Modified:	28 Jan 2026 09:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184256

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