506028 Sigma-AldrichCell Proliferation Inducer, WS3 - Calbiochem

This product has been discontinued.

A cell-permeable, diarylurea analog that can reversibly induce cell proliferation of primary retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells from rodents and from fetal and adult human donors (~ 25 nM). Its action suggested to be mediated through Erb3 binding protein 1 (Ebp1). Non-proliferating RPE cells at passage 6 appear to respond well to WS3 treatment, whereas actively proliferating cells in passage 1 to 4 do not exhibit any increase in proliferation. These cells can differentiate into functional monolayer following WS3 withdrawal. However, WS3-expanded adult human RPE cells differentiate less effectively when compared to stem cell-derived RPE cells. The expanded RPE cells are shown to preserve vision when transplanted into rodent models of retinal degeneration. Also shown to induce proliferation of mouse R7T1 β cells (EC₅₀ = 74 nM). Not reported to induce any genetic changes or tumorigenic events.