1
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Shechter Y, Cohen R, Namestnikov M, Shapira A, Barak A, Barzelay A, Dvir T. Sequential Fabrication of a Three-Layer Retina-like Structure. Gels 2024; 10:336. [PMID: 38786253 PMCID: PMC11121616 DOI: 10.3390/gels10050336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering is considered a promising approach to treating advanced degenerative maculopathies such as nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The retina consists of several hierarchical tissue layers, each of which is supported by a layer underneath. Each of these layers has a different morphology and requires distinct conditions for proper assembly. In fact, a prerequisite step for the assembly of each of these layers is the organization of the layer underneath. Advanced retinal degeneration includes degeneration of the other retina layers, including the choroid, the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), and the photoreceptors. Here, we report a step-by-step fabrication process of a three-layer retina-like structure. The process included the 3D printing of a choroid-like structure in an extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel, followed by deposition of the RPE monolayer. After the formation of the blood vessel-RPE interface, the photoreceptor cells were deposited to interact with the RPE layer. At the end of the fabrication process, each layer was characterized for its morphology and expression of specific markers, and the integration of the three-layer retina was evaluated. We envision that such a retina-like structure may be able to attenuate the deterioration of a degenerated retina and improve engraftment and regeneration. This retinal implant may potentially be suitable for a spectrum of macular degenerative diseases for which there are currently no cures and may save millions from complete blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahel Shechter
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (Y.S.); (R.C.); (M.N.); (A.S.)
| | - Roni Cohen
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (Y.S.); (R.C.); (M.N.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Michael Namestnikov
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (Y.S.); (R.C.); (M.N.); (A.S.)
| | - Assaf Shapira
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (Y.S.); (R.C.); (M.N.); (A.S.)
| | - Adiel Barak
- Division of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel;
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Aya Barzelay
- Division of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Tel Aviv 6423906, Israel;
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Tal Dvir
- Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (Y.S.); (R.C.); (M.N.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol Center for Regenerative Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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2
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Rzhanova LA, Markitantova YV, Aleksandrova MA. Recent Achievements in the Heterogeneity of Mammalian and Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium: In Search of a Stem Cell. Cells 2024; 13:281. [PMID: 38334673 PMCID: PMC10854871 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030281] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells are important fundamentally for the development and function of the retina. In this regard, the study of the morphological and molecular properties of RPE cells, as well as their regenerative capabilities, is of particular importance for biomedicine. However, these studies are complicated by the fact that, despite the external morphological similarity of RPE cells, the RPE is a population of heterogeneous cells, the molecular genetic properties of which have begun to be revealed by sequencing methods only in recent years. This review carries out an analysis of the data from morphological and molecular genetic studies of the heterogeneity of RPE cells in mammals and humans, which reveals the individual differences in the subpopulations of RPE cells and the possible specificity of their functions. Particular attention is paid to discussing the properties of "stemness," proliferation, and plasticity in the RPE, which may be useful for uncovering the mechanisms of retinal diseases associated with pathologies of the RPE and finding new ways of treating them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuliya V. Markitantova
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 26 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (L.A.R.); (M.A.A.)
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3
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Liu Q, Liu J, Higuchi A. hPSC-derived RPE transplantation for the treatment of macular degeneration. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 199:227-269. [PMID: 37678973 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Macular degeneration (MD) is a group of diseases characterized by irreversible and progressive vision loss. Patients with MD suffer from severely impaired central vision, especially elderly people. Currently, only one type of MD, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), can be treated with anti-vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) drugs. Other types of MD remain difficult to treat. With the advent of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and their differentiation into retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), it is promising to treat patients with MD by transplantation of hPSC-derived RPE into the subretinal space. In this review, the current progress in hPSC-derived RPE transplantation for the treatment of patients with MD is described from bench to bedside, including hPSC differentiation into RPE and the characterization and usage of hPSC-derived RPE for transplantation into patients with MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Akon Higuchi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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4
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Hellinen L, Hongisto H, Ramsay E, Kaarniranta K, Vellonen KS, Skottman H, Ruponen M. Comparison of barrier properties of outer blood-retinal barrier models - Human stem cell-based models as a novel tool for ocular drug discovery. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 184:181-188. [PMID: 36740104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.01.026] [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: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell monolayer forms the outer blood-retinal barrier and has a crucial role in ocular pharmacokinetics. Although several RPE cell models are available, there have been no systematic comparisons of their barrier properties with respect to drug permeability. We compared the barrier properties of RPE secondary cell lines (ARPE19, and ARPE19mel) and both primary (hfRPE) and stem-cell derived RPE (hESC-RPE) cells by investigating the permeability of nine drugs (aztreonam, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, fluconazole, ganciclovir, ketorolac, methotrexate, voriconazole, and quinidine) across cell monolayers. ARPE19, ARPE19mel, and hfRPE cells displayed a narrow Papp value range, with relatively high permeation rates (5.2-26 × 10-6 cm/s). In contrast, hESC-RPE cells efficiently restricted the drug flux, and displayed even lower Papp values than those reported for bovine RPE-choroid, with the range of 0.4-32 cm-6/s. Therefore, ARPE19, ARPE19mel, and hfRPE cells failed to form a tight barrier, whereas hESC-RPE cells restricted the drug flux to a similar extent as bovine RPE-choroid. Therefore, hESC-RPE cells are valuable tools in ocular drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Hellinen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Heidi Hongisto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eva Ramsay
- Drug Research Programme, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Kai Kaarniranta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland; Department of Ophthalmology, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 100, FI-70029 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Kati-Sisko Vellonen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, BioMediTech, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Marika Ruponen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland.
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5
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Emri E, Cappa O, Kelly C, Kortvely E, SanGiovanni JP, McKay BS, Bergen AA, Simpson DA, Lengyel I. Zinc Supplementation Induced Transcriptional Changes in Primary Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium: A Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Study to Understand Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Cells 2023; 12:773. [PMID: 36899910 PMCID: PMC10000409 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc supplementation has been shown to be beneficial to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the molecular mechanism underpinning this benefit is not well understood. This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to identify transcriptomic changes induced by zinc supplementation. Human primary retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells could mature for up to 19 weeks. After 1 or 18 weeks in culture, we supplemented the culture medium with 125 µM added zinc for one week. RPE cells developed high transepithelial electrical resistance, extensive, but variable pigmentation, and deposited sub-RPE material similar to the hallmark lesions of AMD. Unsupervised cluster analysis of the combined transcriptome of the cells isolated after 2, 9, and 19 weeks in culture showed considerable heterogeneity. Clustering based on 234 pre-selected RPE-specific genes divided the cells into two distinct clusters, we defined as more and less differentiated cells. The proportion of more differentiated cells increased with time in culture, but appreciable numbers of cells remained less differentiated even at 19 weeks. Pseudotemporal ordering identified 537 genes that could be implicated in the dynamics of RPE cell differentiation (FDR < 0.05). Zinc treatment resulted in the differential expression of 281 of these genes (FDR < 0.05). These genes were associated with several biological pathways with modulation of ID1/ID3 transcriptional regulation. Overall, zinc had a multitude of effects on the RPE transcriptome, including several genes involved in pigmentation, complement regulation, mineralization, and cholesterol metabolism processes associated with AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Emri
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, UK
- Section Ophthalmogenetics, Department of Human Genetics, Queen Emma Centre for Precision Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Oisin Cappa
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, UK
| | - Caoimhe Kelly
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, UK
| | - Elod Kortvely
- Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Ophthalmology (I2O) Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - John Paul SanGiovanni
- Biosciences Research Laboratories, BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, 1230 North Cherry Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Brian S. McKay
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Arizona, 1656 E. Mabel Street, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Arthur A. Bergen
- Section Ophthalmogenetics, Department of Human Genetics, Queen Emma Centre for Precision Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN-KNAW), 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David A. Simpson
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, UK
| | - Imre Lengyel
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, UK
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6
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The Predicted Splicing Variant c.11+5G>A in RPE65 Leads to a Reduction in mRNA Expression in a Cell-Specific Manner. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223640. [PMID: 36429068 PMCID: PMC9688607 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in RPE65 lead to retinal diseases, causing a vision impairment. In this work, we investigated the pathomechanism behind the frequent RPE65 variant, c.11+5G>A. Previous in silico predictions classified this change as a splice variant. Our prediction using novel software's suggested a 124-nt exon elongation containing a premature stop codon. This elongation was validated using midigenes-based approaches. Similar results were observed in patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and photoreceptor precursor cells. However, the splicing defect in all cases was detected at low levels and thereby does not fully explain the recessive condition of the resulting disease. Long-read sequencing discarded other rearrangements or variants that could explain the diseases. Subsequently, a more relevant model was employed: iPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. In patient-derived iPSC-RPE cells, the expression of RPE65 was strongly reduced even after inhibiting a nonsense-mediated decay, contradicting the predicted splicing defect. Additional experiments demonstrated a cell-specific gene expression reduction due to the presence of the c.11+5G>A variant. This decrease also leads to the lack of the RPE65 protein, and differences in size and pigmentation between the patient and control iPSC-RPE. Altogether, our data suggest that the c.11+5G>A variant causes a cell-specific defect in the expression of RPE65 rather than the anticipated splicing defect which was predicted in silico.
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7
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Subramanian R, Sahoo D. Boolean implication analysis of single-cell data predicts retinal cell type markers. BMC Bioinformatics 2022; 23:378. [PMID: 36114457 PMCID: PMC9482279 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-022-04915-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The retina is a complex tissue containing multiple cell types that are essential for vision. Understanding the gene expression patterns of various retinal cell types has potential applications in regenerative medicine. Retinal organoids (optic vesicles) derived from pluripotent stem cells have begun to yield insights into the transcriptomics of developing retinal cell types in humans through single cell RNA-sequencing studies. Previous methods of gene reporting have relied upon techniques in vivo using microarray data, or correlational and dimension reduction methods for analyzing single cell RNA-sequencing data computationally. We aimed to develop a state-of-the-art Boolean method that filtered out noise, could be applied to a wide variety of datasets and lent insight into gene expression over differentiation. Results Here, we present a bioinformatic approach using Boolean implication to discover genes which are retinal cell type-specific or involved in retinal cell fate. We apply this approach to previously published retina and retinal organoid datasets and improve upon previously published correlational methods. Our method improves the prediction accuracy of marker genes of retinal cell types and discovers several new high confidence cone and rod-specific genes. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate the benefits of a Boolean approach that considers asymmetric relationships. We have shown a statistically significant improvement from correlational, symmetric methods in the prediction accuracy of retinal cell-type specific genes. Furthermore, our method contains no cell or tissue-specific tuning and hence could impact other areas of gene expression analyses in cancer and other human diseases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12859-022-04915-4.
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8
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Zhang T, Huang X, Liu S, Bai X, Zhu X, Clegg DO, Jiang M, Sun X. Determining the optimal stage for cryopreservation of human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:454. [PMID: 36064625 PMCID: PMC9446586 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03141-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells (hESC-derived RPE) are a promising source for cell-replacement therapy to treat retinal degenerative diseases, but research on RPE cryopreservation is limited. This study aimed to determine the best phase for RPE cryopreservation to preserve the post-thaw function and uncover the mechanism underlying RPE freezing tolerance. Methods hESC-derived RPE cells were cryopreserved at various time points after seeding. After thawing, the survival and attachment rates, RPE marker gene expression, apical-basal polarity, PEDF secretion, transepithelial resistance, and phagocytotic ability of post-thaw RPE cells were evaluated. RNA sequencing was performed on RPE cells at three-time points, differentially expressed genes were identified, and gene ontology, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes, and protein–protein interaction analyses were used to investigate the key pathways or molecules associated with RPE cell freezing tolerance. Results RPE frozen at passage 2 day 5 (P2D5) had the highest cell viability and attachment after thawing. They also retained properly localized expression of RPE marker genes and biological functions such as PEDF secretion, high transepithelial resistance, and phagocytic ability. The RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that RPE cells at P2D5 expressed high levels of cell cycle/DNA replication and ECM binding associated genes, as well as THBS1, which may serve as a possible hub gene involved in freezing tolerance. We also confirmed that the RPE cells at P2D5 were in the exponential stage with active DNA replication. Conclusions We propose that freezing hESC-derived RPE cells during their exponential phase results in the best post-thawing outcome in terms of cell viability and preservation of RPE cell properties and functions. The high expression levels of the cell cycle and ECM binding associated genes, particularly THBS1, may contribute to better cell recovery at this stage. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-03141-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianyu Huang
- National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Sujun Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyue Bai
- National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyue Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Dennis O Clegg
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
| | - Mei Jiang
- National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai, China. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 100 Haining Road, Shanghai, 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Fundus Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, China
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9
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An alternative approach to produce versatile retinal organoids with accelerated ganglion cell development. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1101. [PMID: 33441707 PMCID: PMC7806597 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79651-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetically complex ocular neuropathies, such as glaucoma, are a major cause of visual impairment worldwide. There is a growing need to generate suitable human representative in vitro and in vivo models, as there is no effective treatment available once damage has occured. Retinal organoids are increasingly being used for experimental gene therapy, stem cell replacement therapy and small molecule therapy. There are multiple protocols for the development of retinal organoids available, however, one potential drawback of the current methods is that the organoids can take between 6 weeks and 12 months on average to develop and mature, depending on the specific cell type wanted. Here, we describe and characterise a protocol focused on the generation of retinal ganglion cells within an accelerated four week timeframe without any external small molecules or growth factors. Subsequent long term cultures yield fully differentiated organoids displaying all major retinal cell types. RPE, Horizontal, Amacrine and Photoreceptors cells were generated using external factors to maintain lamination.
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10
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Culture surface protein coatings affect the barrier properties and calcium signalling of hESC-RPE. Sci Rep 2021; 11:933. [PMID: 33441679 PMCID: PMC7806758 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79638-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantation is currently under evaluation as treatment for macular degeneration. For therapeutic applications, cryostorage during cell production is typically needed with potential consequences to cell functionality. We have previously shown that the culture substrate affects human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE (hESC-RPE) properties in fresh cultures. Here, we aimed to further identify the role of RPE basement membrane proteins type IV collagen (Col-IV), laminin (LN), and nidogen-1 in the maturation and functionality of hESC-RPE after cryopreservation. In addition to cell attachment and morphology, transepithelial electrical resistance, expression of key RPE proteins, phagocytosis capacity and Ca2+ signalling were analysed. After cryostorage, attachment of hESC-RPE on culture surfaces coated with Col-IV alone was poor. Combining Col-IV and LN with or without nidogen-1 significantly improved cell attachment and barrier properties of the epithelium. Furthermore, functional homogeneity of the hESC-RPE monolayer was enhanced in the presence of nidogen-1. Our results suggest that the choice of coating proteins for the cell culture may have implications to the functional properties of these cells after cryostorage cell banking.
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11
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Lidgerwood GE, Senabouth A, Smith-Anttila CJA, Gnanasambandapillai V, Kaczorowski DC, Amann-Zalcenstein D, Fletcher EL, Naik SH, Hewitt AW, Powell JE, Pébay A. Transcriptomic Profiling of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium over Time. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2020; 19:223-242. [PMID: 33307245 PMCID: PMC8602392 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived progenies are immature versions of cells, presenting a potential limitation to the accurate modelling of diseases associated with maturity or age. Hence, it is important to characterise how closely cells used in culture resemble their native counterparts. In order to select appropriate time points of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cultures that reflect native counterparts, we characterised the transcriptomic profiles of the hPSC-derived RPE cells from 1- and 12-month cultures. We differentiated the human embryonic stem cell line H9 into RPE cells, performed single-cell RNA-sequencing of a total of 16,576 cells to assess the molecular changes of the RPE cells across these two culture time points. Our results indicate the stability of the RPE transcriptomic signature, with no evidence of an epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and with the maturing populations of the RPE observed with time in culture. Assessment of Gene Ontology pathways revealed that as the cultures age, RPE cells upregulate expression of genes involved in metal binding and antioxidant functions. This might reflect an increased ability to handle oxidative stress as cells mature. Comparison with native human RPE data confirms a maturing transcriptional profile of RPE cells in culture. These results suggest that long-term in vitro culture of RPE cells allows the modelling of specific phenotypes observed in native mature tissues. Our work highlights the transcriptional landscape of hPSC-derived RPE cells as they age in culture, which provides a reference for native and patient samples to be benchmarked against.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace E Lidgerwood
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia.
| | - Anne Senabouth
- Garvan Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Casey J A Smith-Anttila
- Single Cell Open Research Endeavour, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Vikkitharan Gnanasambandapillai
- Garvan Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Dominik C Kaczorowski
- Garvan Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Daniela Amann-Zalcenstein
- Single Cell Open Research Endeavour, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Erica L Fletcher
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Shalin H Naik
- Single Cell Open Research Endeavour, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Alex W Hewitt
- Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia; School of Medicine, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia
| | - Joseph E Powell
- Garvan Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; UNSW Cellular Genomics Futures Institute, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Alice Pébay
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia.
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12
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Emri E, Kortvely E, Dammeier S, Klose F, Simpson D, den Hollander AI, Ueffing M, Lengyel I. A Multi-Omics Approach Identifies Key Regulatory Pathways Induced by Long-Term Zinc Supplementation in Human Primary Retinal Pigment Epithelium. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12103051. [PMID: 33036197 PMCID: PMC7601425 DOI: 10.3390/nu12103051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), both systemic and local zinc levels decline. Elevation of zinc in clinical studies delayed the progression to end-stage AMD. However, the molecular pathways underpinning this beneficial effect are not yet identified. In this study, we used differentiated primary human fetal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cultures and long-term zinc supplementation to carry out a combined transcriptome, proteome and secretome analysis from three genetically different human donors. After combining significant differences, we identified the complex molecular networks using Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The cell cultures from the three donors showed extensive pigmentation, development of microvilli and basal infoldings and responded to zinc supplementation with an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) (apical supplementation: 443.2 ± 79.3%, basal supplementation: 424.9 ± 116.8%, compared to control: 317.5 ± 98.2%). Significant changes were observed in the expression of 1044 genes, 151 cellular proteins and 124 secreted proteins. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed changes in specific molecular pathways related to cell adhesion/polarity, extracellular matrix organization, protein processing/transport, and oxidative stress response by zinc and identified a key upstream regulator effect similar to that of TGFB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Emri
- Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (E.E.); (D.S.)
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Ophthalmology (I2O) Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Elod Kortvely
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Ophthalmology (I2O) Discovery and Translational Area, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., 4070 Basel, Switzerland;
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tubingen, D-72076 Tubingen, Germany; (S.D.); (F.K.); (M.U.)
| | - Sascha Dammeier
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tubingen, D-72076 Tubingen, Germany; (S.D.); (F.K.); (M.U.)
| | - Franziska Klose
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tubingen, D-72076 Tubingen, Germany; (S.D.); (F.K.); (M.U.)
| | - David Simpson
- Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (E.E.); (D.S.)
| | | | - Anneke I. den Hollander
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525EX Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tubingen, D-72076 Tubingen, Germany; (S.D.); (F.K.); (M.U.)
| | - Imre Lengyel
- Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT97BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (E.E.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)-28-9097-6027
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13
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Al-Ani A, Sunba S, Hafeez B, Toms D, Ungrin M. In Vitro Maturation of Retinal Pigment Epithelium Is Essential for Maintaining High Expression of Key Functional Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176066. [PMID: 32842471 PMCID: PMC7503905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the industrialized world. AMD is associated with dysfunction and atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which provides critical support for photoreceptor survival and function. RPE transplantation is a promising avenue towards a potentially curative treatment for early stage AMD patients, with encouraging reports from animal trials supporting recent progression toward clinical treatments. Mature RPE cells have been reported to be superior, but a detailed investigation of the specific changes in the expression pattern of key RPE genes during maturation is lacking. To understand the effect of maturity on RPE, we investigated transcript levels of 19 key RPE genes using ARPE-19 cell line and human embryonic stem cell-derived RPE cultures. Mature RPE cultures upregulated PEDF, IGF-1, CNTF and BDNF—genes that code for trophic factors known to enhance the survival and function of photoreceptors. Moreover, the mRNA levels of these genes are maximized after 42 days of maturation in culture and lost upon dissociation to single cells. Our findings will help to inform future animal and human RPE transplantation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al-Ani
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (B.H.); (M.U.)
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Leaders in Medicine Program, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Saud Sunba
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (B.H.); (M.U.)
| | - Bilal Hafeez
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (B.H.); (M.U.)
| | - Derek Toms
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (B.H.); (M.U.)
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Correspondence:
| | - Mark Ungrin
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; (A.A.-A.); (S.S.); (B.H.); (M.U.)
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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14
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Drug Flux Across RPE Cell Models: The Hunt for An Appropriate Outer Blood-Retinal Barrier Model for Use in Early Drug Discovery. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12020176. [PMID: 32093035 PMCID: PMC7076505 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12020176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell monolayer forms the outer blood–retinal barrier and has a crucial role in ocular pharmacokinetics. Although several RPE cell models are available, there have been no systematic comparisons of their barrier properties with respect to drug permeability. We compared the barrier properties of several RPE secondary cell lines (ARPE19, ARPE19mel, and LEPI) and both primary (hfRPE) and stem-cell derived RPE (hESC-RPE) cells by investigating the permeability of nine drugs (aztreonam, ciprofloxacin, dexamethasone, fluconazole, ganciclovir, ketorolac, methotrexate, voriconazole, and quinidine) across cell monolayers. ARPE19, ARPE19mel, and hfRPE cells displayed a narrow Papp value range, with relatively high permeation rates (5.2–26 × 10−6 cm/s. In contrast, hESC-RPE and LEPI cells efficiently restricted the drug flux, and displayed even lower Papp values than those reported for bovine RPE-choroid, with the range of 0.4–32 cm−6/s (hESC-RPE cells) and 0.4–29 × 10−6 cm/s, (LEPI cells). Therefore, ARPE19, ARPE19mel, and hfRPE cells failed to form a tight barrier, whereas hESC-RPE and LEPI cells restricted the drug flux to a similar extent as bovine RPE-choroid. Therefore, LEPI and hESC-RPE cells are valuable tools in ocular drug discovery.
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15
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Transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells (MA09-hRPE) in macular degeneration. NPJ Regen Med 2019; 4:19. [PMID: 31482011 PMCID: PMC6712006 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-019-0081-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) transplants has advanced dramatically in different forms for clinical application in macular degeneration. This review focuses on the first generation of hESC-RPE cell line, named as “MA09-hRPE” by Astellas Institute of Regenerative Medicine (AIRM), and its therapeutic application in human, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of MA09-hRPE cell line transplanted in patients with macular degeneration. This project marks the first milestone in overcoming ethical hurdles and oncogenic safety concerns associated with the use of an embryonic stem cell-derived line. Through in-depth, evidence-based analysis of the MA09-hRPE cell line, along with other hESC-RPE cell lines, this review aims to draw attention to the key technical challenges pertinent to the generation of a biologically competent hESC-RPE cell line and distill the four key prognostic factors residing in the host retina, which concurrently determine the outcomes of clinical efficacy and visual benefits. Given that the technology is still at its infancy for human use, a new clinical regulatory path could aid in cell line validation through small cohort, adaptive clinical trials to accelerate product development toward commercialization. These strategic insights will be invaluable to help both academia and industry, collaboratively shorten the steep learning curve, and reduce large development expenditures spent on unnecessary lengthy clinical trials.
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16
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Distribution patterns of torpedo maculopathy: Further evidence of a congenital retinal nerve fiber layer-driven etiology. Saudi J Ophthalmol 2019; 33:260-267. [PMID: 31686968 PMCID: PMC6819754 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjopt.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
With fewer than 100 peer-reviewed cases reported in the world to date, the underlying etiology of torpedo maculopathy has remained elusive. In this literature review, we provide new evidence to better support, reject and unify claims regarding cause, diagnosis, and proper clinical management of this disease. We reviewed 44 case reports and case series, which included 77 patients (after exclusions). We additionally introduced 3 new cases from our clinical practice for a total of 80 cases. Ages at presentation ranged from 6 months old to 73 years old (mean: 24.2 years old). The nasal aspects of torpedo maculopathy lesions pointed toward the optic disc and localized to a kite-shaped region of the temporal macula, correlating with the anatomic junction of the superior arcuate, inferior arcuate, and papillomacular bundles of retinal nerve fiber layer distribution. No patterns were observed among the temporal aspects of the lesions. These findings support a congenital etiology of torpedo maculopathy and a possible influence of the retinal nerve fiber layer in the development of mature retinal pigment epithelium.
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17
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Khavinson V, Trofimova S, Trofimov A, Solomin I. Molecular-Physiological Aspects of Regulatory Effect of Peptide Retinoprotectors. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2019; 15:439-442. [PMID: 30859383 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-019-09882-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Retinal diseases were always difficult problem for clinical ophthalmology. Modern methods of their treatment only decrease risk of complications, however in Russia was created better technology for this purpose: peptide bioregulators, which were made by sequential adding of amino acids one to another, binding with the promoter region of genes, and promoting retinoprotective effect by regulation of their expression, improving the state of the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Khavinson
- Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontlogy, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Pavlov Institute of Physiology RAS, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - S Trofimova
- Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontlogy, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - A Trofimov
- Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontlogy, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - I Solomin
- Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontlogy, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
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18
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Hongisto H, Ilmarinen T, Vattulainen M, Mikhailova A, Skottman H. Xeno- and feeder-free differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to two distinct ocular epithelial cell types using simple modifications of one method. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:291. [PMID: 29284513 PMCID: PMC5747074 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0738-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a promising cell source for ocular cell replacement therapy, but often lack standardized and xenogeneic-free culture and differentiation protocols. We aimed to develop a xeno- and feeder cell-free culture system for undifferentiated hPSCs along with efficient methods to derive ocular therapy target cells: retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and corneal limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs). METHODS Multiple genetically distinct hPSC lines were adapted to a defined, xeno-, and feeder-free culture system of Essential 8™ medium and laminin-521 matrix. Thereafter, two-stage differentiation methods toward ocular epithelial cells were established utilizing xeno-free media and a combination of extracellular matrix proteins. Both differentiation methods shared the same basal elements, using only minor inductive modifications during early differentiation towards desired cell lineages. The resulting RPE cells and LESCs were characterized after several independent differentiation experiments and recovery after xeno-free cryopreservation. RESULTS The defined, xeno-, and feeder-free culture system provided a robust means to generate high-quality hPSCs with chromosomal stability limited to early passages. Inductive cues introduced during the first week of differentiation had a substantial effect on lineage specification, cell survival, and even mature RPE properties. Derivative RPE formed functional epithelial monolayers with mature tight junctions and expression of RPE genes and proteins, as well as phagocytosis and key growth factor secretion capacity after 9 weeks of maturation on inserts. Efficient LESC differentiation led to cell populations expressing LESC markers such as p40/p63α by day 24. Finally, we established xeno-free cryobanking protocols for pluripotent hPSCs, hPSC-RPE cells, and hPSC-LESCs, and demonstrated successful recovery after thawing. CONCLUSIONS We propose methods for efficient and scalable, directed differentiation of high-quality RPE cells and LESCs. The two clinically relevant cell types are generated with simple inductive modification of the same basal method, followed by adherent culture, passaging, and cryobanking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Hongisto
- BioMediTech Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Tanja Ilmarinen
- BioMediTech Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Meri Vattulainen
- BioMediTech Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - Alexandra Mikhailova
- Department of Ophthalmology, SILK, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heli Skottman
- BioMediTech Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520, Tampere, Finland
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19
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Bergen AA. Nicotinamide, iRPE-in-a dish, and age-related macular degeneration therapy development. Stem Cell Investig 2017; 4:81. [PMID: 29057253 DOI: 10.21037/sci.2017.09.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur A Bergen
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN-KNAW), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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