GABA inhibits proliferation and self-renewal of mouse retinal progenitor cell

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, including the retina, and play an important role in both regulating neurogenesis and neural stem cell proliferation. GABAa receptor has been identified in the retina, however, the function of GABAa receptor on retinal progenitor cell (RPC) is unclear. RPCs were cultured to analyze changes in cell proliferation and cell cycle distribution after GABAa receptor activation. The activation of GABAa receptor significantly inhibits RPCs proliferation, cell cycle progress, and self-renewal. Moreover, the activation of GABAa receptor leads to the up-expression of p21 and p27 and down-expression of Nestin, Pax6, Sox2, and Chx10. These results suggest that GABA acts as a negative regulator of RPCs proliferation and self-renewal.