1
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Spirig SE, Renner M. Toward Retinal Organoids in High-Throughput. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041275. [PMID: 37217280 PMCID: PMC10910359 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Human retinal organoids recapitulate the cellular diversity, arrangement, gene expression, and functional aspects of the human retina. Protocols to generate human retinal organoids from pluripotent stem cells are typically labor intensive, include many manual handling steps, and the organoids need to be maintained for several months until they mature. To generate large numbers of human retinal organoids for therapy development and screening purposes, scaling up retinal organoid production, maintenance, and analysis is of utmost importance. In this review, we discuss strategies to increase the number of high-quality retinal organoids while reducing manual handling steps. We further review different approaches to analyze thousands of retinal organoids with currently available technologies and point to challenges that still await to be overcome both in culture and analysis of retinal organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Erich Spirig
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Renner
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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2
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Chakrabarty K, Nayak D, Debnath J, Das D, Shetty R, Ghosh A. Retinal organoids in disease modeling and drug discovery: Opportunities and challenges. Surv Ophthalmol 2023:S0039-6257(23)00127-3. [PMID: 37778668 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Diseases leading to retinal cell loss can cause severe visual impairment and blindness. The lack of effective therapies to address retinal cell loss and the absence of intrinsic regeneration in the human retina leads to an irreversible pathological condition. Progress in recent years in the generation of human three-dimensional retinal organoids from pluripotent stem cells makes it possible to recreate the cytoarchitecture and associated cell-cell interactions of the human retina in remarkable detail. These human three-dimensional retinal organoid systems made of distinct retinal cell types and possessing contextual physiological responses allow the study of human retina development and retinal disease pathology in a way animal model and two-dimensional cell cultures were unable to achieve. We describe the derivation of retinal organoids from human pluripotent stem cells and their application for modeling retinal disease pathologies, while outlining the opportunities and challenges for its application in academia and industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koushik Chakrabarty
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
| | - Divyani Nayak
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Jayasree Debnath
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Debashish Das
- Stem Cell Research Lab, GROW Lab, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rohit Shetty
- Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Arkasubhra Ghosh
- GROW Research Laboratory, Narayana Nethralaya Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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3
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Kelley RA, Wu Z. Utilization of the retinal organoid model to evaluate the feasibility of genetic strategies to ameliorate retinal disease(s). Vision Res 2023; 210:108269. [PMID: 37295270 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Organoid models have quickly become a popular research tool to evaluate novel therapeutics on 3-D recapitulated tissue. This has enabled researchers to use physiologically relevant human tissue in vitro to augment the standard use of immortalized cells and animal models. Organoids can also provide a model when an engineered animal cannot recreate a specific disease phenotype. In particular, the retinal research field has taken advantage of this burgeoning technology to provide insight into inherited retinal disease(s) mechanisms and therapeutic intervention to ameliorate their effects. In this review we will discuss the use of both wild-type and patient-specific retinal organoids to further gene therapy research that could potentially prevent retinal disease(s) progression. Furthermore, we will discuss the pitfalls of current retinal organoid technology and present potential solutions that could overcome these hurdles in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Kelley
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Ct #2400, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA.
| | - Zhijian Wu
- PTC Therapeutics, 100 Corporate Ct #2400, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, USA
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4
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Yu J, Yin Y, Leng Y, Zhang J, Wang C, Chen Y, Li X, Wang X, Liu H, Liao Y, Jin Y, Zhang Y, Lu K, Wang K, Wang X, Wang L, Zheng F, Gu Z, Li Y, Fan Y. Emerging strategies of engineering retinal organoids and organoid-on-a-chip in modeling intraocular drug delivery: current progress and future perspectives. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 197:114842. [PMID: 37105398 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Retinal diseases are a rising concern as major causes of blindness in an aging society; therapeutic options are limited, and the precise pathogenesis of these diseases remains largely unknown. Intraocular drug delivery and nanomedicines offering targeted, sustained, and controllable delivery are the most challenging and popular topics in ocular drug development and toxicological evaluation. Retinal organoids (ROs) and organoid-on-a-chip (ROoC) are both emerging as promising in-vitro models to faithfully recapitulate human eyes for retinal research in the replacement of experimental animals and primary cells. In this study, we review the generation and application of ROs resembling the human retina in cell subtypes and laminated structures and introduce the emerging engineered ROoC as a technological opportunity to address critical issues. On-chip vascularization, perfusion, and close inter-tissue interactions recreate physiological environments in vitro, whilst integrating with biosensors facilitates real-time analysis and monitoring during organogenesis of the retina representing engineering efforts in ROoC models. We also emphasize that ROs and ROoCs hold the potential for applications in modeling intraocular drug delivery in vitro and developing next-generation retinal drug delivery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaheng Yu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yuqi Yin
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yubing Leng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jingcheng Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Yanyun Chen
- Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiaorui Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yulong Liao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yishan Jin
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yihan Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Keyu Lu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Kehao Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China; Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China; Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Lizhen Wang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China; Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Fuyin Zheng
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China; Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Zhongze Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
| | - Yinghui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing, 100094, China.
| | - Yubo Fan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Medicine, and with the School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China; Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of Ministry of Education, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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5
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Barravecchia I, De Cesari C, Guadagni V, Signore G, Bertolini E, Giannelli SG, Scebba F, Martini D, Pè ME, Broccoli V, Andreazzoli M, Angeloni D, Demontis GC. Increasing cell culture density during a developmental window prevents fated rod precursors derailment toward hybrid rod-glia cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6025. [PMID: 37055439 PMCID: PMC10101963 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32571-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In proliferating multipotent retinal progenitors, transcription factors dynamics set the fate of postmitotic daughter cells, but postmitotic cell fate plasticity driven by extrinsic factors remains controversial. Transcriptome analysis reveals the concurrent expression by postmitotic rod precursors of genes critical for the Müller glia cell fate, which are rarely generated from terminally-dividing progenitors as a pair with rod precursors. By combining gene expression and functional characterisation in single cultured rod precursors, we identified a time-restricted window where increasing cell culture density switches off the expression of genes critical for Müller glial cells. Intriguingly, rod precursors in low cell culture density maintain the expression of genes of rod and glial cell fate and develop a mixed rod/Muller glial cells electrophysiological fingerprint, revealing rods derailment toward a hybrid rod-glial phenotype. The notion of cell culture density as an extrinsic factor critical for preventing rod-fated cells diversion toward a hybrid cell state may explain the occurrence of hybrid rod/MG cells in the adult retina and provide a strategy to improve engraftment yield in regenerative approaches to retinal degenerative disease by stabilising the fate of grafted rod precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Barravecchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara De Cesari
- Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Signore
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, San Giuliano Terme, Italy
| | - Edoardo Bertolini
- Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Vania Broccoli
- San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council of Italy, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Gian Carlo Demontis
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno Pisano, 6, 56126, Pisa, Italy.
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6
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Onyak JR, Vergara MN, Renna JM. Retinal organoid light responsivity: current status and future opportunities. Transl Res 2022; 250:98-111. [PMID: 35690342 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The ability to generate human retinas in vitro from pluripotent stem cells opened unprecedented opportunities for basic science and for the development of therapeutic approaches for retinal degenerative diseases. Retinal organoid models not only mimic the histoarchitecture and cellular composition of the native retina, but they can achieve a remarkable level of maturation that allows them to respond to light stimulation. However, studies evaluating the nature, magnitude, and properties of light-evoked responsivity from each cell type, in each retinal organoid layer, have been sparse. In this review we discuss the current understanding of retinal organoid function, the technologies used for functional assessment in human retinal organoids, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Natalia Vergara
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Program, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Jordan M Renna
- Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.
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7
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Chung WG, Kim E, Song H, Lee J, Lee S, Lim K, Jeong I, Park JU. Recent Advances in Electrophysiological Recording Platforms for Brain and Heart Organoids. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202200081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Won Gi Chung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomedicine Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Enji Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomedicine Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Hayoung Song
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomedicine Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Jakyoung Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomedicine Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghoon Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomedicine Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeonghee Lim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomedicine Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Inhea Jeong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomedicine Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
| | - Jang-Ung Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomedicine Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
- KIURI Institute Yonsei University Seoul 03722 Republic of Korea
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8
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Xue Y, Lin B, Chen JT, Tang WC, Browne AW, Seiler MJ. The Prospects for Retinal Organoids in Treatment of Retinal Diseases. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2022; 11:314-327. [PMID: 36041146 PMCID: PMC9966053 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal degeneration (RD) is a significant cause of incurable blindness worldwide. Photoreceptors and retinal pigmented epithelium are irreversibly damaged in advanced RD. Functional replacement of photoreceptors and/or retinal pigmented epithelium cells is a promising approach to restoring vision. This paper reviews the current status and explores future prospects of the transplantation therapy provided by pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoids (ROs). This review summarizes the status of rodent RD disease models and discusses RO culture and analytical tools to evaluate RO quality and function. Finally, we review and discuss the studies in which RO-derived cells or sheets were transplanted. In conclusion, methods to derive ROs from pluripotent stem cells have significantly improved and become more efficient in recent years. Meanwhile, more novel technologies are applied to characterize and validate RO quality. However, opportunity remains to optimize tissue differentiation protocols and achieve better RO reproducibility. In order to screen high-quality ROs for downstream applications, approaches such as noninvasive and label-free imaging and electrophysiological functional testing are promising and worth further investigation. Lastly, transplanted RO-derived tissues have allowed improvements in visual function in several RD models, showing promises for clinical applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuntian Xue
- Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA
- Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Bin Lin
- Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Jacqueline T. Chen
- Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - William C. Tang
- Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Andrew W. Browne
- Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Magdalene J. Seiler
- Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, CA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California, Irvine, CA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA
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9
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Samimi K, Pattnaik BR, Capowski EE, Saha K, Gamm DM, Skala MC. In situ autofluorescence lifetime assay of a photoreceptor stimulus response in mouse retina and human retinal organoids. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 13:3476-3492. [PMID: 35781966 PMCID: PMC9208582 DOI: 10.1364/boe.455783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Photoreceptors are the key functional cell types responsible for the initiation of vision in the retina. Phototransduction involves isomerization and conversion of vitamin A compounds, known as retinoids, and their recycling through the visual cycle. We demonstrate a functional readout of the visual cycle in photoreceptors within stem cell-derived retinal organoids and mouse retinal explants based on spectral and lifetime changes in autofluorescence of the visual cycle retinoids after exposure to light or chemical stimuli. We also apply a simultaneous two- and three-photon excitation method that provides specific signals and increases contrast between these retinoids, allowing for reliable detection of their presence and conversion within photoreceptors. This multiphoton imaging technique resolves the slow dynamics of visual cycle reactions and can enable high-throughput functional screening of retinal tissues and organoid cultures with single-cell resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayvan Samimi
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Bikash R. Pattnaik
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - Krishanu Saha
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - David M. Gamm
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Melissa C. Skala
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI 53715, USA
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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10
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Saha A, Capowski E, Fernandez Zepeda MA, Nelson EC, Gamm DM, Sinha R. Cone photoreceptors in human stem cell-derived retinal organoids demonstrate intrinsic light responses that mimic those of primate fovea. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:460-471.e3. [PMID: 35104442 PMCID: PMC9093561 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
High-definition vision in humans and nonhuman primates is initiated by cone photoreceptors located within a specialized region of the retina called the fovea. Foveal cone death is the ultimate cause of central blindness in numerous retinal dystrophies, including macular degenerative diseases. 3D retinal organoids (ROs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) hold tremendous promise to model and treat such diseases. To achieve this goal, RO cones should elicit robust and intrinsic light-evoked electrical responses (i.e., phototransduction) akin to adult foveal cones, which has not yet been demonstrated. Here, we show strong, graded, repetitive, and wavelength-specific light-evoked responses from RO cones. The photoresponses and membrane physiology of a significant fraction of these lab-generated cones are comparable with those of intact ex vivo primate fovea. These results greatly increase confidence in ROs as potential sources of functional human cones for cell replacement therapies, drug testing, and in vitro models of retinal dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aindrila Saha
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | | | - Emma C Nelson
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David M Gamm
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Raunak Sinha
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
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11
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Andreazzoli M, Barravecchia I, De Cesari C, Angeloni D, Demontis GC. Inducible Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model and Treat Inherited Degenerative Diseases of the Outer Retina: 3D-Organoids Limitations and Bioengineering Solutions. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092489. [PMID: 34572137 PMCID: PMC8471616 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal degenerations (IRD) affecting either photoreceptors or pigment epithelial cells cause progressive visual loss and severe disability, up to complete blindness. Retinal organoids (ROs) technologies opened up the development of human inducible pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) for disease modeling and replacement therapies. However, hiPSC-derived ROs applications to IRD presently display limited maturation and functionality, with most photoreceptors lacking well-developed outer segments (OS) and light responsiveness comparable to their adult retinal counterparts. In this review, we address for the first time the microenvironment where OS mature, i.e., the subretinal space (SRS), and discuss SRS role in photoreceptors metabolic reprogramming required for OS generation. We also address bioengineering issues to improve culture systems proficiency to promote OS maturation in hiPSC-derived ROs. This issue is crucial, as satisfying the demanding metabolic needs of photoreceptors may unleash hiPSC-derived ROs full potential for disease modeling, drug development, and replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivana Barravecchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | | | - Debora Angeloni
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Gian Carlo Demontis
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (G.C.D.)
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12
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Atkinson SP. A preview of selected articles-September 2021. Stem Cells Transl Med 2021; 10:1249-1252. [PMID: 34420262 PMCID: PMC8380439 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.21-0253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
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13
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Li L, Zhao H, Xie H, Akhtar T, Yao Y, Cai Y, Dong K, Gu Y, Bao J, Chen J, Zhang M, Zhong K, Xu W, Xue T. Electrophysiological characterization of photoreceptor-like cells in human inducible pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoids during in vitro maturation. STEM CELLS (DAYTON, OHIO) 2021; 39:959-974. [PMID: 33662144 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Retinal organoids (ROs) derived from human inducible pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) exhibit considerable therapeutic potential. However, current quality control of ROs during in vitro differentiation is largely limited to the detection of molecular markers, often by immunostaining, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and sequencing, often without proper functional assessments. As such, in the current study, we systemically characterized the physiological maturation of photoreceptor-like cells in hiPSC-derived ROs. By performing patch-clamp recordings from photoreceptor-like cells in ROs at distinct differentiation stages (ie, Differentiation Day [D]90, D150, and D200), we determined the electrophysiological properties of the plasma membrane and several characteristic ion channels closely associated with the physiological functions of the photoreceptors. Ionic hallmarks, such as hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels and cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels, matured progressively during differentiation. After D200 in culture, these characteristic currents closely resembled those in macaque or human native photoreceptors. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the hyperpolarization-activated inward current/depolarization-activated outward current ratio (I-120 /I+40 ), termed as the inward-outward current (IOC) ratio hereon, accurately represented the maturity of photoreceptors and could serve as a sensitive indicator of pathological state. Thus, this study provides a comprehensive dataset describing the electrophysiological maturation of photoreceptor-like cells in hiPSC-derived ROs for precise and sensitive quality control during RO differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Li
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Zhao
- School of Biology, Food, and Environment, Hefei University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Haohuan Xie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Tasneem Akhtar
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yichuan Yao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Cai
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Dong
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghao Gu
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Bao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China.,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jutao Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Zhong
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Anhui Province for High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiping Xu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei, People's Republic of China.,The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian Xue
- Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People's Republic of China.,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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