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Liu S, Cheng C, Zhu L, Zhao T, Wang Z, Yi X, Yan F, Wang X, Li C, Cui T, Yang B. Liver organoids: updates on generation strategies and biomedical applications. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:244. [PMID: 39113154 PMCID: PMC11304926 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03865-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The liver is the most important metabolic organ in the body. While mouse models and cell lines have further deepened our understanding of liver biology and related diseases, they are flawed in replicating key aspects of human liver tissue, particularly its complex structure and metabolic functions. The organoid model represents a major breakthrough in cell biology that revolutionized biomedical research. Organoids are in vitro three-dimensional (3D) physiological structures that recapitulate the morphological and functional characteristics of tissues in vivo, and have significant advantages over traditional cell culture methods. In this review, we discuss the generation strategies and current advances in the field focusing on their application in regenerative medicine, drug discovery and modeling diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
- State Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Tianjin, 300301, China
| | | | - Liuyang Zhu
- First Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Tianyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Tianjin, 300301, China
| | - Ze Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Tianjin, 300301, China
- Research Unit for Drug Metabolism, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiulin Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Tianjin, 300301, China
- Research Unit for Drug Metabolism, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Fengying Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Tianjin, 300301, China
- Research Unit for Drug Metabolism, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Tianjin, 300301, China
| | - Chunli Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China.
| | - Tao Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Druggability Evaluation and Systematic Translational Medicine, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Tianjin, 300301, China.
- Research Unit for Drug Metabolism, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Baofeng Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China.
- School of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
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Lundin BF, Knight GT, Fedorchak NJ, Krucki K, Iyer N, Maher JE, Izban NR, Roberts A, Cicero MR, Robinson JF, Iskandar BJ, Willett R, Ashton RS. RosetteArray ® Platform for Quantitative High-Throughput Screening of Human Neurodevelopmental Risk. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.01.587605. [PMID: 38798648 PMCID: PMC11118315 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.01.587605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Neural organoids have revolutionized how human neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are studied. Yet, their utility for screening complex NDD etiologies and in drug discovery is limited by a lack of scalable and quantifiable derivation formats. Here, we describe the RosetteArray® platform's ability to be used as an off-the-shelf, 96-well plate assay that standardizes incipient forebrain and spinal cord organoid morphogenesis as micropatterned, 3-D, singularly polarized neural rosette tissues (>9000 per plate). RosetteArrays are seeded from cryopreserved human pluripotent stem cells, cultured over 6-8 days, and immunostained images can be quantified using artificial intelligence-based software. We demonstrate the platform's suitability for screening developmental neurotoxicity and genetic and environmental factors known to cause neural tube defect risk. Given the presence of rosette morphogenesis perturbation in neural organoid models of NDDs and neurodegenerative disorders, the RosetteArray platform could enable quantitative high-throughput screening (qHTS) of human neurodevelopmental risk across regulatory and precision medicine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brady F. Lundin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, 53705 USA
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Gavin T. Knight
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
- Neurosetta LLC, 330 N. Orchard Street Rm 4140A, Madison, WI 53715 USA
| | | | - Kevin Krucki
- Neurosetta LLC, 330 N. Orchard Street Rm 4140A, Madison, WI 53715 USA
| | - Nisha Iyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Jack E. Maher
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Nicholas R. Izban
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Abilene Roberts
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Madeline R. Cicero
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Joshua F. Robinson
- Center of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Bermans J. Iskandar
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Rebecca Willett
- Neurosetta LLC, 330 N. Orchard Street Rm 4140A, Madison, WI 53715 USA
- Departments of Statistics and Computer Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Randolph S. Ashton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
- Neurosetta LLC, 330 N. Orchard Street Rm 4140A, Madison, WI 53715 USA
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Carido M, Völkner M, Steinheuer LM, Wagner F, Kurth T, Dumler N, Ulusoy S, Wieneke S, Norniella AV, Golfieri C, Khattak S, Schönfelder B, Scamozzi M, Zoschke K, Canzler S, Hackermüller J, Ader M, Karl MO. Reliability of human retina organoid generation from hiPSC-derived neuroepithelial cysts. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1166641. [PMID: 37868194 PMCID: PMC10587494 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1166641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The possible applications for human retinal organoids (HROs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) rely on the robustness and transferability of the methodology for their generation. Standardized strategies and parameters to effectively assess, compare, and optimize organoid protocols are starting to be established, but are not yet complete. To advance this, we explored the efficiency and reliability of a differentiation method, called CYST protocol, that facilitates retina generation by forming neuroepithelial cysts from hiPSC clusters. Here, we tested seven different hiPSC lines which reproducibly generated HROs. Histological and ultrastructural analyses indicate that HRO differentiation and maturation are regulated. The different hiPSC lines appeared to be a larger source of variance than experimental rounds. Although previous reports have shown that HROs in several other protocols contain a rather low number of cones, HROs from the CYST protocol are consistently richer in cones and with a comparable ratio of cones, rods, and Müller glia. To provide further insight into HRO cell composition, we studied single cell RNA sequencing data and applied CaSTLe, a transfer learning approach. Additionally, we devised a potential strategy to systematically evaluate different organoid protocols side-by-side through parallel differentiation from the same hiPSC batches: In an explorative study, the CYST protocol was compared to a conceptually different protocol based on the formation of cell aggregates from single hiPSCs. Comparing four hiPSC lines showed that both protocols reproduced key characteristics of retinal epithelial structure and cell composition, but the CYST protocol provided a higher HRO yield. So far, our data suggest that CYST-derived HROs remained stable up to at least day 200, while single hiPSC-derived HROs showed spontaneous pathologic changes by day 200. Overall, our data provide insights into the efficiency, reproducibility, and stability of the CYST protocol for generating HROs, which will be useful for further optimizing organoid systems, as well as for basic and translational research applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalena Carido
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Manuela Völkner
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lisa Maria Steinheuer
- Department Computational Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Felix Wagner
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurth
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technology Platform, Core Facility Electron Microscopy and Histology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Natalie Dumler
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Selen Ulusoy
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephanie Wieneke
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Cristina Golfieri
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Shahryar Khattak
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Stem Cell Engineering Facility, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bruno Schönfelder
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maria Scamozzi
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Zoschke
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sebastian Canzler
- Department Computational Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg Hackermüller
- Department Computational Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Computer Science, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marius Ader
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mike O Karl
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Loewa A, Feng JJ, Hedtrich S. Human disease models in drug development. NATURE REVIEWS BIOENGINEERING 2023; 1:1-15. [PMID: 37359774 PMCID: PMC10173243 DOI: 10.1038/s44222-023-00063-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Biomedical research is undergoing a paradigm shift towards approaches centred on human disease models owing to the notoriously high failure rates of the current drug development process. Major drivers for this transition are the limitations of animal models, which, despite remaining the gold standard in basic and preclinical research, suffer from interspecies differences and poor prediction of human physiological and pathological conditions. To bridge this translational gap, bioengineered human disease models with high clinical mimicry are being developed. In this Review, we discuss preclinical and clinical studies that benefited from these models, focusing on organoids, bioengineered tissue models and organs-on-chips. Furthermore, we provide a high-level design framework to facilitate clinical translation and accelerate drug development using bioengineered human disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Loewa
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - James J. Feng
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Department of Mathematics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Sarah Hedtrich
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Center of Biological Design, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MCD), Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
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Re-formation of synaptic connectivity in dissociated human stem cell-derived retinal organoid cultures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2213418120. [PMID: 36598946 PMCID: PMC9926218 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2213418120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived retinal organoids (ROs) can efficiently and reproducibly generate retinal neurons that have potential for use in cell replacement strategies [Capowski et al., Development 146, dev171686 (2019)]. The ability of these lab-grown retinal neurons to form new synaptic connections after dissociation from ROs is key to building confidence in their capacity to restore visual function. However, direct evidence of reestablishment of retinal neuron connectivity via synaptic tracing has not been reported to date. The present study employs an in vitro, rabies virus-based, monosynaptic retrograde tracing assay [Wickersham et al., Neuron 53, 639-647 (2007); Sun et al., Mol. Neurodegener. 14, 8 (2019)] to identify de novo synaptic connections among early retinal cell types following RO dissociation. A reproducible, high-throughput approach for labeling and quantifying traced retinal cell types was developed. Photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells-the primary neurons of interest for retinal cell replacement-were the two major contributing populations among the traced presynaptic cells. This system provides a platform for assessing synaptic connections in cultured retinal neurons and sets the stage for future cell replacement studies aimed at characterizing or enhancing synaptogenesis. Used in this manner, in vitro synaptic tracing is envisioned to complement traditional preclinical animal model testing, which is limited by evolutionary incompatibilities in synaptic machinery inherent to human xenografts.
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Arthur P, Muok L, Nathani A, Zeng EZ, Sun L, Li Y, Singh M. Bioengineering Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Organoids and Optic Vesicle-Containing Brain Organoids for Ocular Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:3429. [PMID: 36359825 PMCID: PMC9653705 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal organoids are three-dimensional (3D) structures derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that mimic the retina's spatial and temporal differentiation, making them useful as in vitro retinal development models. Retinal organoids can be assembled with brain organoids, the 3D self-assembled aggregates derived from hPSCs containing different cell types and cytoarchitectures that resemble the human embryonic brain. Recent studies have shown the development of optic cups in brain organoids. The cellular components of a developing optic vesicle-containing organoids include primitive corneal epithelial and lens-like cells, retinal pigment epithelia, retinal progenitor cells, axon-like projections, and electrically active neuronal networks. The importance of retinal organoids in ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy are described in this review. This review highlights current developments in retinal organoid techniques, and their applications in ocular conditions such as disease modeling, gene therapy, drug screening and development. In addition, recent advancements in utilizing extracellular vesicles secreted by retinal organoids for ocular disease treatments are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Arthur
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Laureana Muok
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Aakash Nathani
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Eric Z. Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Mandip Singh
- College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
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Mustafi D, Bharathan SP, Calderon R, Nagiel A. HUMAN CELLULAR MODELS FOR RETINAL DISEASE: From Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Organoids. Retina 2022; 42:1829-1835. [PMID: 35858274 PMCID: PMC10119785 DOI: 10.1097/iae.0000000000003571] [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: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To provide a concise review of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and retinal organoids as models for human retinal diseases and their role in gene discovery and treatment of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). METHODS A PubMed literature review was performed for models of human retinal disease, including animal models and human pluripotent stem cell-derived models. RESULTS There is a growing body of research on retinal disease using human pluripotent stem cells. This is a significant change from just a decade ago when most research was performed on animal models. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cells has permitted not only the generation of two-dimensional human cell cultures such as RPE but also more recently the generation of three-dimensional retinal organoids that better reflect the multicellular laminar architecture of the human retina. CONCLUSION Modern stem cell techniques are improving our ability to model human retinal disease in vitro, especially with the use of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. In the future, a personalized approach may be used in which the individual's unique genotype can be modeled in two-dimensional culture or three-dimensional organoids and then rescued with an optimized therapy before treating the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debarshi Mustafi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Karalis Johnson Retina Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sumitha P Bharathan
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Rosanna Calderon
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Development, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; and
| | - Aaron Nagiel
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Ophthalmology, Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Yan T, Yang N, Hu W, Zhang X, Li X, Wang Y, Kong J. Differentiation and Maturation Effect of All-trans Retinoic Acid on Cultured Fetal RPE and Stem Cell-Derived RPE Cells for Cell-Based Therapy. Curr Eye Res 2022; 47:1300-1311. [PMID: 35763026 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2022.2079144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Clinical trials using fetal retinal pigment epithelium (fRPE), human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE, or human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived RPE for cell-based therapy for degenerative retinal diseases have been carried out. We investigated the culture-induced changes in passaged fRPE, hESC-RPE and hiPSC-RPE cells and explored the differentiation and maturation effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on cells for manufacturing and screening high quality RPE cells for clinical transplantation. METHODS RPE cell lines were set up and the culture-induced changes in subsequent passages caused by manipulating plating density, dissociation method and repeated passaging were studied by microscope, real-time quantitative PCR, western blot and immunofluorescent assays. Gene and protein expression and functional characteristics of RPE cells incubated with ATRA were evaluated. RESULTS Compared with fRPE, hESC-RPE and hiPSC-RPE showed decreased gene and protein expression of RPE markers. RPE cells underwent mesenchymal changes showing increased expression of mesenchymal markers including a-SMA, N-cadherin, fibronectin and decreased expression of RPE markers including RPE65, E-cadherin and ZO-1, as a subsequence of low plating density, inappropriate dissociated method, and repeated passaging. RPE cells treated by ATRA showed increased expression of RPE markers and increased expression of negative complement regulatory proteins (CRPs), and increased transepithelial resistance as well. CONCLUSIONS Differences in protein and gene expression among three RPE types exist. ATRA can increase RPE markers, CRPs gene expression in fRPE and stem cell-derived RPE. These can be used to guide the standard of screening RPE cells for clinical translational cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingyu Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001 PR China.,Department of Ophthalmology, the Fourth People's Hospital of Shenyang, No. 20 Huanghe Street, Huanggu District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110000, P. R. China
| | - Na Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001 PR China.,Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, P. R. China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, No.2428 Yuhe Road, Weifang 261031, Shandong, China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001 PR China
| | - Xuedong Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001 PR China
| | - Youjin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001 PR China
| | - Jun Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 North Nanjing Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110001 PR China
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9
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Rempel SK, Welch MJ, Ludwig AL, Phillips MJ, Kancherla Y, Zack DJ, Gamm DM, Gómez TM. Human photoreceptors switch from autonomous axon extension to cell-mediated process pulling during synaptic marker redistribution. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110827. [PMID: 35584680 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110827] [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: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptors (PRs) are the primary visual sensory cells, and their loss leads to blindness that is currently incurable. Although cell replacement therapy holds promise, success is hindered by our limited understanding of PR axon growth during development and regeneration. Here, we generate retinal organoids from human pluripotent stem cells to study the mechanisms of PR process extension. We find that early-born PRs exhibit autonomous axon extension from dynamic terminals. However, as PRs age from 40 to 80 days of differentiation, they lose dynamic terminals on 2D substrata and in 3D retinal organoids. Interestingly, PRs without motile terminals are still capable of extending axons but only by process stretching via attachment to motile non-PR cells. Immobile PR terminals of late-born PRs have fewer and less organized actin filaments but more synaptic proteins compared with early-born PR terminals. These findings may help inform the development of PR transplantation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Rempel
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Madalynn J Welch
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Allison L Ludwig
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - M Joseph Phillips
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Yochana Kancherla
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Donald J Zack
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - David M Gamm
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Timothy M Gómez
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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Retinal Organoids and Retinal Prostheses: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23062922. [PMID: 35328339 PMCID: PMC8953078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23062922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the progress of modern medicine in the last decades, millions of people diagnosed with retinal dystrophies (RDs), such as retinitis pigmentosa, or age-related diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, are suffering from severe visual impairment or even legal blindness. On the one hand, the reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and the progress of three-dimensional (3D) retinal organoids (ROs) technology provide a great opportunity to study, understand, and even treat retinal diseases. On the other hand, research advances in the field of electronic retinal prosthesis using inorganic photovoltaic polymers and the emergence of organic semiconductors represent an encouraging therapeutical strategy to restore vision to patients at the late onset of the disease. This review will provide an overview of the latest advancement in both fields. We first describe the retina and the photoreceptors, briefly mention the most used RD animal models, then focus on the latest RO differentiation protocols, carry out an overview of the current technology on inorganic and organic retinal prostheses to restore vision, and finally summarize the potential utility and applications of ROs.
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p53 inactivation unmasks histone methylation-independent WDR5 functions that drive self-renewal and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2642-2658. [PMID: 34715053 PMCID: PMC8581203 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
p53 alterations occur during culture of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), but the significance of these events on epigenetic control of PSC fate determination remains poorly understood. Wdr5 deletion in p53-null (DKO) mouse ESCs (mESCs) leads to impaired self-renewal, defective retinal neuroectoderm differentiation, and de-repression of germ cell/meiosis (GCM)-specific genes. Re-introduction of a WDR5 mutant with defective H3K4 methylation activity into DKO ESCs restored self-renewal and suppressed GCM gene expression but failed to induce retinal neuroectoderm differentiation. Mechanistically, mutant WDR5 targets chromatin that is largely devoid of H3K4me3 and regulates gene expression in p53-null mESCs. Furthermore, MAX and WDR5 co-target lineage-specifying chromatin and regulate chromatin accessibility of GCM-related genes. Importantly, MAX and WDR5 are core subunits of a non-canonical polycomb repressor complex 1 responsible for gene silencing. This function, together with canonical, pro-transcriptional WDR5-dependent MLL complex H3K4 methyltransferase activity, highlight how WDR5 mediates crosstalk between transcription and repression during mESC fate choice. H3K4me defective WDR5 supports self-renewal and GCM differentiation in p53-null mESCs WDR5 regulates H3K4me-independent stemness and GCM gene expression in p53-null mESCs MAX and WDR5 repress GCM-related gene chromatin accessibility upon differentiation
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12
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German OL, Vallese-Maurizi H, Soto TB, Rotstein NP, Politi LE. Retina stem cells, hopes and obstacles. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:1446-1479. [PMID: 34786153 PMCID: PMC8567457 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i10.1446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal degeneration is a major contributor to visual dysfunction worldwide. Although it comprises several eye diseases, loss of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and photoreceptor cells are the major contributors to their pathogenesis. Early therapies included diverse treatments, such as provision of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and many survival and trophic factors that, in some cases, slow down the progression of the degeneration, but do not effectively prevent it. The finding of stem cells (SC) in the eye has led to the proposal of cell replacement strategies for retina degeneration. Therapies using different types of SC, such as retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), embryonic SC, pluripotent SCs (PSCs), induced PSCs (iPSCs), and mesenchymal stromal cells, capable of self-renewal and of differentiating into multiple cell types, have gained ample support. Numerous preclinical studies have assessed transplantation of SC in animal models, with encouraging results. The aim of this work is to revise the different preclinical and clinical approaches, analyzing the SC type used, their efficacy, safety, cell attachment and integration, absence of tumor formation and immunorejection, in order to establish which were the most relevant and successful. In addition, we examine the questions and concerns still open in the field. The data demonstrate the existence of two main approaches, aimed at replacing either RPE cells or photoreceptors. Emerging evidence suggests that RPCs and iPSC are the best candidates, presenting no ethical concerns and a low risk of immunorejection. Clinical trials have already supported the safety and efficacy of SC treatments. Serious concerns are pending, such as the risk of tumor formation, lack of attachment or integration of transplanted cells into host retinas, immunorejection, cell death, and also ethical. However, the amazing progress in the field in the last few years makes it possible to envisage safe and effective treatments to restore vision loss in a near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga L German
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahia blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, and Neurobiology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) Conicet, Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Harmonie Vallese-Maurizi
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahia blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, and Neurobiology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) Conicet, Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tamara B Soto
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, and Neurobiology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) Conicet, Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nora P Rotstein
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahia blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, and Neurobiology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) Conicet, Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luis Enrique Politi
- Department of Biology, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Universidad Nacional del Sur, and Neurobiology Department, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (INIBIBB) Conicet, Bahía Blanca 8000, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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13
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Zhou J, Flores-Bellver M, Pan J, Benito-Martin A, Shi C, Onwumere O, Mighty J, Qian J, Zhong X, Hogue T, Amponsah-Antwi B, Einbond L, Gharbaran R, Wu H, Chen BJ, Zheng Z, Tchaikovskaya T, Zhang X, Peinado H, Canto-Soler MV, Redenti S. Human retinal organoids release extracellular vesicles that regulate gene expression in target human retinal progenitor cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21128. [PMID: 34702879 PMCID: PMC8548301 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00542-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying retinal development have not been completely elucidated. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are novel essential mediators of cell-to-cell communication with emerging roles in developmental processes. Nevertheless, the identification of EVs in human retinal tissue, characterization of their cargo, and analysis of their potential role in retina development has not been accomplished. Three-dimensional retinal tissue derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) provide an ideal developmental system to achieve this goal. Here we report that hiPSC-derived retinal organoids release exosomes and microvesicles with small noncoding RNA cargo. EV miRNA cargo-predicted targetome correlates with Gene Ontology (GO) pathways involved in mechanisms of retinogenesis relevant to specific developmental stages corresponding to hallmarks of native human retina development. Furthermore, uptake of EVs by human retinal progenitor cells leads to changes in gene expression correlated with EV miRNA cargo predicted gene targets, and mechanisms involved in retinal development, ganglion cell and photoreceptor differentiation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
- Biology Doctoral Program, The Graduate School and University Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Miguel Flores-Bellver
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz- Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado, 12800 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Jianbo Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Alberto Benito-Martin
- Departments of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology Division, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 413 E. 69th St., New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Cui Shi
- Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | | | - Jason Mighty
- Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
- Biology Doctoral Program, The Graduate School and University Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Jiang Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Xiufeng Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tasmim Hogue
- Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | | | - Linda Einbond
- Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | | | - Hao Wu
- Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
- Biology Doctoral Program, The Graduate School and University Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Bo-Juen Chen
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, 10013, USA
| | - Zhiliang Zheng
- Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Tatyana Tchaikovskaya
- Department of Medicine, Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Xusheng Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Computational Genomics Core in Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Hector Peinado
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Department of Molecular Oncology, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Valeria Canto-Soler
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz- Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado, 12800 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Stephen Redenti
- Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA.
- Biology Doctoral Program, The Graduate School and University Center, City University of New York, 365 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Biochemistry Doctoral Program, The Graduate School, City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
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14
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Owji AP, Kittredge A, Zhang Y, Yang T. Structure and Function of the Bestrophin family of calcium-activated chloride channels. Channels (Austin) 2021; 15:604-623. [PMID: 34612806 PMCID: PMC8496536 DOI: 10.1080/19336950.2021.1981625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bestrophins are a family of calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) with relevance to human physiology and a myriad of eye diseases termed "bestrophinopathies". Since the identification of bestrophins as CaCCs nearly two decades ago, extensive studies from electrophysiological and structural biology perspectives have sought to define their key channel features including calcium sensing, gating, inactivation, and anion selectivity. The initial X-ray crystallography studies on the prokaryotic homolog of Best1, Klebsiella pneumoniae (KpBest), and the Best1 homolog from Gallus gallus (chicken Best1, cBest1), laid the foundational groundwork for establishing the architecture of Best1. Recent progress utilizing single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy has further elucidated the molecular mechanism of gating in cBest1 and, separately, the structure of Best2 from Bos taurus (bovine Best2, bBest2). Meanwhile, whole-cell patch clamp, planar lipid bilayer, and other electrophysiologic analyses using these models as well as the human Best1 (hBest1) have provided ample evidence describing the functional properties of the bestrophin channels. This review seeks to consolidate these structural and functional results to paint a broad picture of the underlying mechanisms comprising the bestrophin family's structure-function relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron P Owji
- Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University, NY, USA
| | - Alec Kittredge
- Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University, NY, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, NY, USA
| | - Tingting Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, NY, USA
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15
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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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16
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Eldred KC, Reh TA. Human retinal model systems: Strengths, weaknesses, and future directions. Dev Biol 2021; 480:114-122. [PMID: 34529997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.09.001] [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: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The retina is a complex neuronal structure that converts light energy into visual perception. Many specialized aspects of the primate retina, including a cone rich macula for high acuity vision, ocular size, and cell type diversity are not found in other animal models. In addition, the unique morphologies and distinct laminar positions of cell types found in the retina make this model system ideal for the study of neuronal cell fate specification. Many key early events of human retinal development are inaccessible to investigation as they occur during gestation. For these reasons, it has been necessary to develop retinal model systems to gain insight into human-specific retinal development and disease. Recent advances in culturing retinal tissue have generated new systems for retinal research and have moved us closer to generating effective regenerative therapies for vision loss. Here, we describe the strengths, weaknesses, and future directions for different human retinal model systems including dissociated primary tissue, explanted primary tissue, retinospheres, and stem cell-derived retinal organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiara C Eldred
- Department of Biological Structure, Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Thomas A Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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17
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Marx U, Accastelli E, David R, Erfurth H, Koenig L, Lauster R, Ramme AP, Reinke P, Volk HD, Winter A, Dehne EM. An Individual Patient's "Body" on Chips-How Organismoid Theory Can Translate Into Your Personal Precision Therapy Approach. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:728866. [PMID: 34589503 PMCID: PMC8473633 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.728866] [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: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The first concepts for reproducing human systemic organismal biology in vitro were developed over 12 years ago. Such concepts, then called human- or body-on-a-chip, claimed that microphysiological systems would become the relevant technology platform emulating the physiology and morphology of human organisms at the smallest biologically acceptable scale in vitro and, therefore, would enable the selection of personalized therapies for any patient at unprecedented precision. Meanwhile, the first human organoids-stem cell-derived complex three-dimensional organ models that expand and self-organize in vitro-have proven that in vitro self-assembly of minute premature human organ-like structures is feasible, once the respective stimuli of ontogenesis are provided to human stem cells. Such premature organoids can precisely reflect a number of distinct physiological and pathophysiological features of their respective counterparts in the human body. We now develop the human-on-a-chip concepts of the past into an organismoid theory. We describe the current concept and principles to create a series of organismoids-minute, mindless and emotion-free physiological in vitro equivalents of an individual's mature human body-by an artificially short process of morphogenetic self-assembly mimicking an individual's ontogenesis from egg cell to sexually mature organism. Subsequently, we provide the concept and principles to maintain such an individual's set of organismoids at a self-sustained functional healthy homeostasis over very long time frames in vitro. Principles how to perturb a subset of healthy organismoids by means of the natural or artificial induction of diseases are enrolled to emulate an individual's disease process. Finally, we discuss using such series of healthy and perturbed organismoids in predictively selecting, scheduling and dosing an individual patient's personalized therapy or medicine precisely. The potential impact of the organismoid theory on our healthcare system generally and the rapid adoption of disruptive personalized T-cell therapies particularly is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Marx
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- TissUse GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Rhiannon David
- Functional and Mechanistic Safety, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Roland Lauster
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Petra Reinke
- Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- BIH-Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Volk
- BIH-Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Ludwig AL, Gamm DM. Outer Retinal Cell Replacement: Putting the Pieces Together. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:15. [PMID: 34724034 PMCID: PMC8572485 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.10.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases (RDDs) affecting photoreceptors (PRs) are one of the most prevalent sources of incurable blindness worldwide. Due to a lack of endogenous repair mechanisms, functional cell replacement of PRs and/or retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells are among the most anticipated approaches for restoring vision in advanced RDD. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technologies have accelerated development of outer retinal cell therapies as they provide a theoretically unlimited source of donor cells. Human PSC-RPE replacement therapies have progressed rapidly, with several completed and ongoing clinical trials. Although potentially more promising, hPSC-PR replacement therapies are still in their infancy. A first-in-human trial of hPSC-derived neuroretinal transplantation has recently begun, but a number of questions regarding survival, reproducibility, functional integration, and mechanism of action remain. The discovery of biomaterial transfer between donor and PR cells has highlighted the need for rigorous safety and efficacy studies of PR replacement. In this review, we briefly discuss the history of neuroretinal and PR cell transplantation to identify remaining challenges and outline a stepwise approach to address specific pieces of the outer retinal cell replacement puzzle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L. Ludwig
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David M. Gamm
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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19
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Li X, Zhang L, Tang F, Wei X. Retinal Organoids: Cultivation, Differentiation, and Transplantation. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:638439. [PMID: 34276307 PMCID: PMC8282056 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.638439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal organoids (ROs), which are derived from stem cells, can automatically form three-dimensional laminar structures that include all cell types and the ultrastructure of the retina. Therefore, they are highly similar to the retinal structure in the human body. The development of organoids has been a great technological breakthrough in the fields of transplantation therapy and disease modeling. However, the translation of RO applications into medical practice still has various deficiencies at the current stage, including the long culture process, insufficient yield, and great heterogeneity among ROs produced under different conditions. Nevertheless, many technological breakthroughs have been made in transplanting ROs for treatment of diseases such as retinal degeneration. This review discusses recent advances in the development of ROs, improvements of the culture protocol, and the latest developments in RO replacement therapy techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuying Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fei Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Wei
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, China
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20
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Zhou X, Rui Y, Peng J, Wang Y, He Y, Wang C, Peng M, Zhang X, Xia X, Song W. Transplantation of reprogrammed peripheral blood cells differentiates into retinal ganglion cells in the mouse eye with NMDA-induced injury. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:8099-8109. [PMID: 34101182 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30464] [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: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The generation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) holds significant implications for replacement therapy in treating optic neuropathies such as glaucoma. Stem-cell-based therapy targeted at replacing and replenishing retinal ganglion cells is progressing at a fast pace. However, clinical application necessitates an efficient and robust approach for cell manufacturing. Here, we examine whether the embryo body derived from human peripheral blood-derived iPSC can localize into the host retina and differentiate into retinal ganglion cells after transplantation into a glaucoma injury model. Human peripheral blood T cells were isolated and reprogrammed into an induced pluripotent stem cell (TiPSC) line using Sendai virus transduction carrying transcription factors Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc, and Oct4. TiPSCs were differentiated into RGC using neural basal culture. For in vivo studies, embryo bodies derived from TiPSCs (TiPSC-EB) were injected into the vitreous cavity of N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA)-treated mice 2 weeks before sacrifice and retinal dissection. Induced pluripotent stem cells generated from human peripheral blood T cells display stem cell morphology and pluripotency markers. Furthermore, RGC-like cells differentiated from TiPSC exhibit extending axons and RGC marker TUJ1. When transplanted intravitreally into NMDA-treated mice, embryo bodies derived from TiPSC survived, migrated, and incorporated into the retina's GCL layer. In addition, TiPSC-EB transplants were able to differentiate into TUJ1 positive RGC-like cells. Retinal ganglion cells can be differentiated using human peripheral blood cells derived iPSC. Transplantation of embryo body derived from TiPSCs into a glaucoma mouse model could incorporate into host GCL and differentiate into RGC-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuezhi Zhou
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yuhua Rui
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingjie Peng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yujue Wang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ye He
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Manjuan Peng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaobo Xia
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Weitao Song
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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21
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Long-term effects of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal cell transplantation in Pde6b knockout rats. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:631-642. [PMID: 33828232 PMCID: PMC8102536 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00588-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative disorders, including age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), are characterized by the irreversible loss of photoreceptor cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells; however, the long-term effect of implanting both human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived RPE and photoreceptor for retinal regeneration has not yet been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the long-term effects of hiPSC-derived RPE and photoreceptor cell transplantation in Pde6b knockout rats to study RP; cells were injected into the subretinal space of the right eyes of rats before the appearance of signs of retinal degeneration at 2-3 weeks of age. Ten months after transplantation, we evaluated the cells using fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, and histological evaluation, and no abnormal cell proliferation was observed. A relatively large number of transplanted cells persisted during the first 4 months; subsequently, the number of these cells decreased gradually. Notably, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the hiPSC-derived retinal cells showed characteristics of both RPE cells and photoreceptors of human origin after transplantation. Functional analysis of vision by scotopic electroretinogram revealed significant preservation of vision after transplantation. Our study suggests that the transplantation of hiPSC-derived retinal cells, including RPE cells and photoreceptors, has a potential therapeutic effect against irreversible retinal degenerative diseases.
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22
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Single-Cell Transcriptomic Comparison of Human Fetal Retina, hPSC-Derived Retinal Organoids, and Long-Term Retinal Cultures. Cell Rep 2021; 30:1644-1659.e4. [PMID: 32023475 PMCID: PMC7901645 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To study the development of the human retina, we use single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) at key fetal stages and follow the development of the major cell types as well as populations of transitional cells. We also analyze stem cell (hPSC)-derived retinal organoids; although organoids have a very similar cellular composition at equivalent ages as the fetal retina, there are some differences in gene expression of particular cell types. Moreover, the inner retinal lamination is disrupted at more advanced stages of organoids compared with fetal retina. To determine whether the disorganization in the inner retina is due to the culture conditions, we analyze retinal development in fetal retina maintained under similar conditions. These retinospheres develop for at least 6 months, displaying better inner retinal lamination than retinal organoids. Our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) comparisons of fetal retina, retinal organoids, and retinospheres provide a resource for developing better in vitro models for retinal disease.
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A human model of Batten disease shows role of CLN3 in phagocytosis at the photoreceptor-RPE interface. Commun Biol 2021; 4:161. [PMID: 33547385 PMCID: PMC7864947 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01682-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in CLN3 lead to photoreceptor cell loss in CLN3 disease, a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by childhood-onset vision loss, neurological impairment, and premature death. However, how CLN3 mutations cause photoreceptor cell death is not known. Here, we show that CLN3 is required for phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segment (POS) by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, a cellular process essential for photoreceptor survival. Specifically, a proportion of CLN3 in human, mouse, and iPSC-RPE cells localized to RPE microvilli, the site of POS phagocytosis. Furthermore, patient-derived CLN3 disease iPSC-RPE cells showed decreased RPE microvilli density and reduced POS binding and ingestion. Notably, POS phagocytosis defect in CLN3 disease iPSC-RPE cells could be rescued by wild-type CLN3 gene supplementation. Altogether, these results illustrate a novel role of CLN3 in regulating POS phagocytosis and suggest a contribution of primary RPE dysfunction for photoreceptor cell loss in CLN3 disease that can be targeted by gene therapy.
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Effect of Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Damaged Human Corneal Endothelial Cells. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:6644463. [PMID: 33531909 PMCID: PMC7834816 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6644463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) are essential to visual function; however, since they have limited proliferative capacity in vivo, they are prone to corneal endothelial dysfunction. At present, the only treatment is a corneal transplantation from donor cadavers. Also, due to a global shortage of donor corneas, it is important to find alternative strategies. Recent studies highlight that stem cell–derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a relevant role in stem cell-induced regeneration by reprogramming injured cells and inducing proregenerative pathways. The aim of this work is to evaluate whether EVs derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EVs) are able to promote regeneration of damaged HCECs. Methods We isolated HCECs from discarded corneas in patients undergoing corneal transplantation or enucleation (N = 23 patients). Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were obtained from Lonza, cultured, and characterized. MSC-EVs were obtained from supernatants of MSCs. In order to establish a valid in vitro damage model to test the regenerative potential of EVs on HCECs, we evaluated the proliferation rate and the apoptosis after exposing the cells to serum-deprived medium at different concentrations for 24 hours. We then evaluated the HCEC migration through a wound healing assay. Results In the selected serum deprivation damage conditions, the treatment with different doses of MSC-EVs resulted in a significantly higher proliferation rate of HCECs at all the tested concentrations of EVs (5‐20 × 103 MSC-EV/cell). MSC-EVs/cell induced a significant decrease in number of total apoptotic cells after 24 hours of serum deprivation. Finally, the wound healing assay showed a significantly faster repair of the wound after HCEC treatment with MSC-EVs. Conclusions Results highlight the already well-known proregenerative potential of MSC-EVs in a totally new biological model, the endothelium of the cornea. MSC-EVs, indeed, induced proliferation and survival of HCECs, promoting the migration of HCECs in vitro.
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Lam C, Alsaeedi HA, Koh AEH, Harun MHN, Hwei ANM, Mok PL, Luu CD, Yong TK, Subbiah SK, Bastion MLC. Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) Therapy in Rescuing Photoreceptors and Establishing a Sodium Iodate-Induced Retinal Degeneration Rat Model. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2021; 18:143-154. [PMID: 33415670 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-020-00312-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different methods have been used to inject stem cells into the eye for research. We previously explored the intravitreal route. Here, we investigate the efficacy of intravenous and subretinal-transplanted human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in rescuing the photoreceptors of a sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration model. METHODS Three groups of Sprague Dawley rats were used: intervention, vehicle group and negative control groups (n = 6 in each). Intravenous injection of 60 mg/kg sodium iodate (day 0) induced retinal degeneration. On day 4 post-injection of sodium iodate, the rats in the intervention group received intravenous DPSC and subretinal DPSC in the right eye; rats in the vehicle group received subretinal Hank's balance salt solution and intravenous normal saline; while negative control group received nothing. Electroretinogram (ERG) was performed to assess the retinal function at day 0 (baseline), day 4, day 11, day 18, day 26, and day 32. By the end of the study at day 32, the rats were euthanized, and both their enucleated eyes were sent for histology. RESULTS No significant difference in maximal ERG a-wave (p = 0.107) and b-wave, (p = 0.153) amplitude was seen amongst the experimental groups. However, photopic 30 Hz flicker amplitude of the study eye showed significant differences in the 3 groups (p = 0.032). Within the intervention group, there was an improvement in 30 Hz flicker ERG response of all 6 treated right eyes, which was injected with subretinal DPSC; while the 30 Hz flicker ERG of the non-treated left eyes remained flat. Histology showed improved outer nuclear layer thickness in intervention group; however, findings were not significant compared to the negative and vehicle groups. CONCLUSION Combination of subretinal and intravenous injection of DPSCs may have potential to rescue cone function from a NaIO3-induced retinal injury model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshen Lam
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, UKM Medical Centre, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hiba Amer Alsaeedi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Avin Ee-Hwan Koh
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hairul Nizam Harun
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, UKM Medical Centre, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Angela Ng Min Hwei
- Tissue Engineering Centre, UKM Medical Centre, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Pooi Ling Mok
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka, P.O. Box 2014, Aljouf Province, Saudi Arabia.,Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chi D Luu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital, Melbourne, 3002, Australia.,Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Australia
| | - Then Kong Yong
- Brighton Healthcare Suite G-2, Ground Floor, Bio X Centre, Persiaran Cyberpoint Selatan, Cyber 8, 63000, Cyberjaya, Malaysia
| | - Suresh Kumar Subbiah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Genetics and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Biotechnology, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mae-Lynn Catherine Bastion
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, UKM Medical Centre, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Abstract
Organoids are in vitro miniaturized and simplified model systems of organs that have gained enormous interest for modelling tissue development and disease, and for personalized medicine, drug screening and cell therapy. Despite considerable success in culturing physiologically relevant organoids, challenges remain to achieve real-life applications. In particular, the high variability of self-organizing growth and restricted experimental and analytical access hamper the translatability of organoid systems. In this Review, we argue that many limitations of traditional organoid culture can be addressed by engineering approaches at all levels of organoid systems. We investigate cell surface and genetic engineering approaches, and discuss stem cell niche engineering based on the design of matrices that allow spatiotemporal control of organoid growth and shape-guided morphogenesis. We examine how microfluidic approaches and lessons learnt from organs-on-a-chip enable the integration of mechano-physiological parameters and increase accessibility of organoids to improve functional readouts. Applying engineering principles to organoids increases reproducibility and provides experimental control, which will, ultimately, be required to enable clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Hofer
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences (SV) and School of Engineering (STI), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias P. Lutolf
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences (SV) and School of Engineering (STI), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, School of Basic Science (SB), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Cell-Based Therapies for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1256:265-293. [PMID: 33848006 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-66014-7_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The pathogenesis of AMD involves dysfunction and loss of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a monolayer of cells that provide nourishment and functional support for the overlying photoreceptors. RPE cells in mammals are not known to divide, renew or regenerate in vivo, and in advanced AMD, RPE loss leads to degeneration of the photoreceptors and impairment of vision. One possible therapeutic approach would be to support and replace the failing RPE cells of affected patients, and indeed moderate success of surgical procedures in which relatively healthy autologous RPE from the peripheral retina of the same eye was transplanted under the retina in the macular area suggested that RPE replacement could be a means to attenuate photoreceptor cell loss. This prompted exploration of the possibility to use pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) as a potential source for "healthy and young" RPE cells for such cell-based therapy of AMD. Various approaches ranging from the use of allogeneic embryonic stem cells to autologous induced pluripotent stem cells are now being tested within early clinical trials. Such PSC-derived RPE cells are either injected into the subretinal space as a suspension, or transplanted as a monolayer patch upon scaffold support. Although most of these approaches are at early clinical stages, safety of the RPE product has been demonstrated by several of these studies. Here, we review the concept of cell-based therapy of AMD and provide an update on current progress in the field of RPE transplantation.
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The Rise of Retinal Organoids for Vision Research. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228484. [PMID: 33187246 PMCID: PMC7697892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal degenerative diseases lead to irreversible blindness. Decades of research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of retinal diseases, using either animal models or human cell-derived 2D systems, facilitated the development of several therapeutic interventions. Recently, human stem cell-derived 3D retinal organoids have been developed. These self-organizing 3D organ systems have shown to recapitulate the in vivo human retinogenesis resulting in morphological and functionally similar retinal cell types in vitro. In less than a decade, retinal organoids have assisted in modeling several retinal diseases that were rather difficult to mimic in rodent models. Retinal organoids are also considered as a photoreceptor source for cell transplantation therapies to counteract blindness. Here, we highlight the development and field’s improvements of retinal organoids and discuss their application aspects as human disease models, pharmaceutical testbeds, and cell sources for transplantations.
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Whatley M, Francis A, Ng ZY, Khoh XE, Atlas MD, Dilley RJ, Wong EYM. Usher Syndrome: Genetics and Molecular Links of Hearing Loss and Directions for Therapy. Front Genet 2020; 11:565216. [PMID: 33193648 PMCID: PMC7642844 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.565216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome (USH) is an autosomal recessive (AR) disorder that permanently and severely affects the senses of hearing, vision, and balance. Three clinically distinct types of USH have been identified, decreasing in severity from Type 1 to 3, with symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and vestibular dysfunction. There are currently nine confirmed and two suspected USH-causative genes, and a further three candidate loci have been mapped. The proteins encoded by these genes form complexes that play critical roles in the development and maintenance of cellular structures within the inner ear and retina, which have minimal capacity for repair or regeneration. In the cochlea, stereocilia are located on the apical surface of inner ear hair cells (HC) and are responsible for transducing mechanical stimuli from sound pressure waves into chemical signals. These signals are then detected by the auditory nerve fibers, transmitted to the brain and interpreted as sound. Disease-causing mutations in USH genes can destabilize the tip links that bind the stereocilia to each other, and cause defects in protein trafficking and stereocilia bundle morphology, thereby inhibiting mechanosensory transduction. This review summarizes the current knowledge on Usher syndrome with a particular emphasis on mutations in USH genes, USH protein structures, and functional analyses in animal models. Currently, there is no cure for USH. However, the genetic therapies that are rapidly developing will benefit from this compilation of detailed genetic information to identify the most effective strategies for restoring functional USH proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meg Whatley
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Abbie Francis
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Emergency Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Zi Ying Ng
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Xin Ee Khoh
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Marcus D. Atlas
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Ear Sciences Centre, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Rodney J. Dilley
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Ear Sciences Centre, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Elaine Y. M. Wong
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Ear Sciences Centre, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
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Kulkeaw K, Tubsuwan A, Tongkrajang N, Whangviboonkij N. Generation of human liver organoids from pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatic endoderms. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9968. [PMID: 33133779 PMCID: PMC7580584 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The use of a personalized liver organoid derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (HuiPSCs) is advancing the use of in vitro disease models for the design of specific, effective therapies for individuals. Collecting patient peripheral blood cells for HuiPSC generation is preferable because it is less invasive; however, the capability of blood cell-derived HuiPSCs for hepatic differentiation and liver organoid formation remains uncertain. Moreover, the currently available methods for liver organoid formation require a multistep process of cell differentiation or a combination of hepatic endodermal, endothelial and mesenchymal cells, which is a major hurdle for the application of personalized liver organoids in high-throughput testing of drug toxicity and safety. To demonstrate the capability of blood cell-derived HuiPSCs for liver organoid formation without support from endothelial and mesenchymal cells. Methods The peripheral blood-derived HuiPSCs first differentiated into hepatic endoderm (HE) in two-dimensional (2D) culture on Matrigel-coated plates under hypoxia for 10 days. The HE was then collected and cultured in 3D culture using 50% Matrigel under ambient oxygen. The maturation of hepatocytes was further induced by adding hepatocyte growth medium containing HGF and oncostatin M on top of the 3D culture and incubating the culture for an additional 12–17 days. The function of the liver organoids was assessed using expression analysis of hepatocyte-specific gene and proteins. Albumin (ALB) synthesis, glycogen and lipid storage, and metabolism of indocyanine were evaluated. The spatial distribution of albumin was examined using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Results CD34+ hematopoietic cell-derived HuiPSCs were capable of differentiating into definitive endoderm expressing SOX17 and FOXA2, hepatic endoderm expressing FOXA2, hepatoblasts expressing AFP and hepatocytes expressing ALB. On day 25 of the 2D culture, cells expressed SOX17, FOXA2, AFP and ALB, indicating the presence of cellular heterogeneity. In contrast, the hepatic endoderm spontaneously formed a spherical, hollow structure in a 3D culture of 50% Matrigel, whereas hepatoblasts and hepatocytes could not form. Microscopic observation showed a single layer of polygonal-shaped cells arranged in a 3D structure. The hepatic endoderm-derived organoid synthesis ALB at a higher level than the 2D culture but did not express definitive endoderm-specific SOX17, indicating the greater maturity of the hepatocytes in the liver organoids. Confocal microscopic images and quantitative ELISA confirmed albumin synthesis in the cytoplasm of the liver organoid and its secretion. Overall, 3D culture of the hepatic endoderm is a relatively fast, simple, and less laborious way to generate liver organoids from HuiPSCs that is more physiologically relevant than 2D culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasem Kulkeaw
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Alisa Tubsuwan
- Stem Cell Research Group, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Nongnat Tongkrajang
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Narisara Whangviboonkij
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Zhang CJ, Ma Y, Jin ZB. The road to restore vision with photoreceptor regeneration. Exp Eye Res 2020; 202:108283. [PMID: 33010290 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuroretinal diseases are the predominant cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, mainly due to photoreceptor loss. Currently, there are no radical treatments to fully reverse the degeneration or even stop the disease progression. Thus, it is urgent to develop new biological therapeutics for these diseases on the clinical side. Stem cell-based treatments have become a promising therapeutic for neuroretinal diseases through the replacement of damaged cells with photoreceptors and some allied cells. To date, considerable efforts have been made to regenerate the diseased retina based on stem cell technology. In this review, we overview the current status of stem cell-based treatments for photoreceptor regeneration, including the major cell sources derived from different stem cells in pre-clinical or clinical trial stages. Additionally, we discuss herein the major challenges ahead for and potential new strategy toward photoreceptor regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Jun Zhang
- Laboratory for Stem Cell & Retinal Regeneration, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Ya Ma
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zi-Bing Jin
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology & Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Chichagova V, Dorgau B, Felemban M, Georgiou M, Armstrong L, Lako M. Differentiation of Retinal Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 50:e95. [PMID: 31479596 DOI: 10.1002/cpsc.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This unit describes a protocol for generating retinal organoids that contain all major retinal cell types and are responsive to light from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). hPSCs are differentiated in 96-well plates to allow large-scale production of organoids that could be used for multiple applications, including study of human retinal development, disease modeling, and compound screening. The differentiation approach is based on the knowledge that insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling together with retinoic acid and triiodothyronine is important for retinal development. After 22 weeks in culture, the organoids form a thick layer of neuroepithelium containing photoreceptors and bipolar, horizontal, amacrine, Müller, and retinal ganglion cells. Differentiation progress can be tracked by morphological observations and protein localization, as detected with immunocytochemistry. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Chichagova
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Newcells Biotech Ltd, Biomedicine West Wing, International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Birthe Dorgau
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Newcells Biotech Ltd, Biomedicine West Wing, International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Majed Felemban
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Georgiou
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Lyle Armstrong
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Newcells Biotech Ltd, Biomedicine West Wing, International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Lee JH, Oh JO, Lee CS. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Modeling of Best Disease and Autosomal Recessive Bestrophinopathy. Yonsei Med J 2020; 61:816-825. [PMID: 32882766 PMCID: PMC7471084 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2020.61.9.816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To understand the pathophysiology of Best disease (BD) and autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB) by establishing an in vitro model using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Human iPSC lines were generated from mononuclear cells in peripheral blood of one ARB patient, one autosomal dominant BD patient, and two normal controls. Immunocytochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in iPSC lines were conducted to demonstrate the pluripotent markers. After the differentiation of iPSC into functional retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), morphological characteristics of the RPE were evaluated using confocal microscopy and immunocytochemistry. The rates of fluid flow across iPSC-RPE monolayer were measured to compare apical to basal fluid transports by RPE. RNA sequencing was performed on iPSC-RPE to identify the differences in gene expression profiles, and specific gene sets were tested using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. RESULTS Morphological characteristics, gene expression, and epithelial integrity of ARB iPSC were comparable to those of BD patient or normal control. Fluid transport from apical to basal was significantly decreased in ARB iPSC-RPE compared with BD iPSC-RPE or control iPSC-RPE. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis confirmed that ARB iPSC-RPE exhibited significant enrichments of epithelial-mesenchymal transition gene set and TNF-α signaling via NF-κB gene set compared to control iPSC-RPE or BD iPSC-RPE. CONCLUSION A human iPSC model of ARB showed a functional deficiency rather than anatomical defects. ARB may be caused by RPE dysfunction following BEST1 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hwan Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Ok Oh
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Christopher Seungkyu Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Shen Y. Stem cell therapies for retinal diseases: from bench to bedside. J Mol Med (Berl) 2020; 98:1347-1368. [PMID: 32794020 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-020-01960-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
As the human retina has no regenerative ability, stem cell interventions represent potential therapies for various blinding retinal diseases. This type of therapy has been extensively studied in the human eyes through decades of preclinical studies. The safety profiles shown in clinical trials thus far have indicated that these strategies should be further explored. There are still challenges with regard to cell source, cell delivery, immuno-related adverse events and long-term maintenance of the therapeutic effects. Retinal stem cell therapy is likely to be most successful with a combination of multiple technologies, such as gene therapy. The purpose of this review is to present a synthetical and systematic coverage of stem cell therapies that target retinal diseases from bench to bedside, intending to appeal to both junior specialists and the broader community of clinical investigators alike. This review will only focus on therapies that have already been studied in clinical trials. This review summarizes key concepts, highlights the main studies in human patients and discusses the current challenges and potential methods to reduce safety concerns while enhancing the therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuening Shen
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London , 11-43 Bath St, London, EC1V 9EL, UK. .,Department of Medical Retina, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 162 City Road, London, EC1V 2PD, UK.
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Aboualizadeh E, Phillips MJ, McGregor JE, DiLoreto DA, Strazzeri JM, Dhakal KR, Bateman B, Jager LD, Nilles KL, Stuedemann SA, Ludwig AL, Hunter JJ, Merigan WH, Gamm DM, Williams DR. Imaging Transplanted Photoreceptors in Living Nonhuman Primates with Single-Cell Resolution. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:482-497. [PMID: 32707075 PMCID: PMC7419740 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-based transplantation therapies offer hope for currently untreatable retinal degenerations; however, preclinical progress has been largely confined to rodent models. Here, we describe an experimental platform for accelerating photoreceptor replacement therapy in the nonhuman primate, which has a visual system much more similar to the human. We deployed fluorescence adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (FAOSLO) to noninvasively track transplanted photoreceptor precursors over time at cellular resolution in the living macaque. Fluorescently labeled photoreceptors generated from a CRX+/tdTomato human embryonic stem cell (hESC) reporter line were delivered subretinally to macaques with normal retinas and following selective ablation of host photoreceptors using an ultrafast laser. The fluorescent reporter together with FAOSLO allowed transplanted photoreceptor precursor survival, migration, and neurite formation to be monitored over time in vivo. Histological examination suggested migration of photoreceptor precursors to the outer plexiform layer and potential synapse formation in ablated areas in the macaque eye.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Joseph Phillips
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - David A DiLoreto
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA; Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer M Strazzeri
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA; Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Kamal R Dhakal
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Brittany Bateman
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Kelsy L Nilles
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | | | - Jennifer J Hunter
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA; Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA; The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - William H Merigan
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA; Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - David M Gamm
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David R Williams
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA; The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
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36
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West EL, Ribeiro J, Ali RR. Development of Stem Cell Therapies for Retinal Degeneration. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a035683. [PMID: 31818854 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a035683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Degenerative retinal disease is the major cause of sight loss in the developed world and currently there is a lack of effective treatments. As the loss of vision is directly the result of the loss of retinal cells, effective cell replacement through stem-cell-based therapies may have the potential to treat a great number of retinal diseases whatever their underlying etiology. The eye is an ideal organ to develop cell therapies as it is immune privileged, and modern surgical techniques enable precise delivery of cells to the retina. Furthermore, a range of noninvasive diagnostic tests and high-resolution imaging techniques facilitate the evaluation of any therapeutic intervention. In this review, we evaluate the progress to date of current cell therapy strategies for retinal repair, focusing on transplantation of pluripotent stem-cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L West
- Division of Molecular Therapy, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom
| | - Joana Ribeiro
- Division of Molecular Therapy, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom
| | - Robin R Ali
- Division of Molecular Therapy, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, United Kingdom.,Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA
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Suri R, Neupane YR, Jain GK, Kohli K. Recent theranostic paradigms for the management of Age-related macular degeneration. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 153:105489. [PMID: 32717428 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Degenerative diseases of eye like Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), that affects the central portion of the retina (macula), is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide especially in the elderly population. It is classified mainly as wet and dry form. With expanding knowledge about the underlying pathophysiology of the disease, various treatment strategies are being employed to halt the course of the disease progression. Hitherto, there is no ideal therapy which can cure the disease completely, and targeting the posterior segment of the eye is yet another challenge. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances in the management and treatment stratagems (therapies, delivery systems and diagnostic tools) pertaining to AMD viz. molecular targeting, stem cell therapy, nanotechnology and exosomes with special reference to newer technologies like artificial intelligence and 3D printing. Furthermore, the role of diet and nutritional supplements in the prevention and treatment of the disease has also been highlighted. The alarming increase in the said disorder around the globe demands exhaustive research and investigations in the treatment zone. This review thus additionally directs the attention towards the challenges and future perspectives of different treatment approaches for AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshal Suri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Yub Raj Neupane
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 117559, Singapore
| | - Gaurav Kumar Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Kanchan Kohli
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India.
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38
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French LS, Mellough CB, Chen FK, Carvalho LS. A Review of Gene, Drug and Cell-Based Therapies for Usher Syndrome. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:183. [PMID: 32733204 PMCID: PMC7363968 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome is a genetic disorder causing neurosensory hearing loss and blindness from retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Adaptive techniques such as braille, digital and optical magnifiers, mobility training, cochlear implants, or other assistive listening devices are indispensable for reducing disability. However, there is currently no treatment to reduce or arrest sensory cell degeneration. There are several classes of treatments for Usher syndrome being investigated. The present article reviews the progress this research has made towards delivering commercial options for patients with Usher syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy S French
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Carla B Mellough
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Fred K Chen
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Livia S Carvalho
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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39
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Dhakal KR, Walters S, McGregor JE, Schwarz C, Strazzeri JM, Aboualizadeh E, Bateman B, Huxlin KR, Hunter JJ, Williams DR, Merigan WH. Localized Photoreceptor Ablation Using Femtosecond Pulses Focused With Adaptive Optics. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:16. [PMID: 32832223 PMCID: PMC7414617 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.7.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The development of new approaches to human vision restoration could be greatly accelerated with the use of nonhuman primate models; however, there is a paucity of primate models of outer retina degeneration with good spatial localization. To limit ablation to the photoreceptors, we developed a new approach that uses a near-infrared ultrafast laser, focused using adaptive optics, to concentrate light in a small focal volume within the retina. Methods In the eyes of eight anesthetized macaques, 187 locations were exposed to laser powers from 50 to 210 mW. Laser exposure locations were monitored for up to 18 months using fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) reflectance imaging, two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) ophthalmoscopy, histology, and calcium responses of retinal ganglion cells. Results This method produced localized photoreceptor loss with minimal axial spread of damage to other retinal layers, verified by in-vivo structural imaging and histologic examination, although in some cases evidence of altered autofluorescence was found in the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Functional assessment using blood flow imaging of the retinal plexus and calcium imaging of the response of ganglion cells above the photoreceptor loss shows that inner retinal circuitry was preserved. Conclusions Although different from a genetic model of retinal degeneration, this model of localized photoreceptor loss may provide a useful testbed for vision restoration studies in nonhuman primates. Translational Relevance With this model, a variety of vision restoration methods can be tested in the non-human primate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal R Dhakal
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Walters
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Christina Schwarz
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Brittany Bateman
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Krystel R Huxlin
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer J Hunter
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - David R Williams
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - William H Merigan
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
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40
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Bronstein R, Capowski EE, Mehrotra S, Jansen AD, Navarro-Gomez D, Maher M, Place E, Sangermano R, Bujakowska KM, Gamm DM, Pierce EA. A combined RNA-seq and whole genome sequencing approach for identification of non-coding pathogenic variants in single families. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 29:967-979. [PMID: 32011687 PMCID: PMC7158377 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are at the focus of current genetic therapeutic advancements. For a genetic treatment such as gene therapy to be successful, an accurate genetic diagnostic is required. Genetic diagnostics relies on the assessment of the probability that a given DNA variant is pathogenic. Non-coding variants present a unique challenge for such assessments as compared to coding variants. For one, non-coding variants are present at much higher number in the genome than coding variants. In addition, our understanding of the rules that govern the non-coding regions of the genome is less complete than our understanding of the coding regions. Methods that allow for both the identification of candidate non-coding pathogenic variants and their functional validation may help overcome these caveats allowing for a greater number of patients to benefit from advancements in genetic therapeutics. We present here an unbiased approach combining whole genome sequencing (WGS) with patient-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal organoids (ROs) transcriptome analysis. With this approach, we identified and functionally validated a novel pathogenic non-coding variant in a small family with a previously unresolved genetic diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Revital Bronstein
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Ocular Genomics Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Capowski
- Waisman Center Stem Cell Research Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Sudeep Mehrotra
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Ocular Genomics Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Alex D Jansen
- Waisman Center Stem Cell Research Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Daniel Navarro-Gomez
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Ocular Genomics Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Mathew Maher
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Ocular Genomics Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Emily Place
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Ocular Genomics Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Riccardo Sangermano
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Ocular Genomics Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Kinga M Bujakowska
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Ocular Genomics Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - David M Gamm
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Waisman Center Stem Cell Research Program, McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Eric A Pierce
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Ocular Genomics Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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41
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Shrestha R, Wen YT, Tsai RK. Induced pluripotent stem cells and derivative photoreceptor precursors as therapeutic cells for retinal degenerations. Tzu Chi Med J 2020; 32:101-112. [PMID: 32269941 PMCID: PMC7137374 DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_147_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The visual impairment associated with inherited retinal degeneration and age-related degeneration of photoreceptors is causing substantial challenges in finding effective therapies. However, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived therapeutic cells such as photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells provide the ultimate options in the rescue of lost photoreceptors to improve the visual function in end-stage degeneration. Retinal cells derived from iPSC are therapeutic cells that could be promising in the field of cell replacement therapy and regenerative medicine. This review presents an overview of the photoreceptor degeneration, methods of iPSC generation, iPSC in retinal disease modeling, summarizes the photoreceptor differentiation protocols, and challenges remained with photoreceptor cell replacement for the treatment of retinal diseases. Thus, the burden and increased incidence of visual impairment emphasizes the need of novel therapy, where iPSC-derived photoreceptor and RPE cells proved to be promising for curing the retinal dysfunction and act as renovation in approach to improve visual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupendra Shrestha
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Institute of Eye Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Tseng Wen
- Institute of Eye Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Kung Tsai
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.,Institute of Eye Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan
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42
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Singh MS, Park SS, Albini TA, Canto-Soler MV, Klassen H, MacLaren RE, Takahashi M, Nagiel A, Schwartz SD, Bharti K. Retinal stem cell transplantation: Balancing safety and potential. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 75:100779. [PMID: 31494256 PMCID: PMC7056514 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.100779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell transplantation holds great promise as a potential treatment for currently incurable retinal degenerative diseases that cause poor vision and blindness. Recently, safety data have emerged from several Phase I/II clinical trials of retinal stem cell transplantation. These clinical trials, usually run in partnership with academic institutions, are based on sound preclinical studies and are focused on patient safety. However, reports of serious adverse events arising from cell therapy in other poorly regulated centers have now emerged in the lay and scientific press. While progress in stem cell research for blindness has been greeted with great enthusiasm by patients, scientists, doctors and industry alike, these adverse events have raised concerns about the safety of retinal stem cell transplantation and whether patients are truly protected from undue harm. The aim of this review is to summarize and appraise the safety of human retinal stem cell transplantation in the context of its potential to be developed into an effective treatment for retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandeep S Singh
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
| | - Susanna S Park
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, University of California-Davis Eye Center, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Thomas A Albini
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - M Valeria Canto-Soler
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Henry Klassen
- Gavin Herbert Eye Institute and Stem Cell Research Center, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford and Oxford University Eye Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Masayo Takahashi
- Laboratory for Retinal Regeneration, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
| | - Aaron Nagiel
- The Vision Center, Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA; USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
| | - Steven D Schwartz
- Stein Eye Institute, University of California Los Angeles Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA; Edythe and Eli Broad Stem Cell Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Kapil Bharti
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 90892, USA
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Kallman A, Capowski EE, Wang J, Kaushik AM, Jansen AD, Edwards KL, Chen L, Berlinicke CA, Joseph Phillips M, Pierce EA, Qian J, Wang TH, Gamm DM, Zack DJ. Investigating cone photoreceptor development using patient-derived NRL null retinal organoids. Commun Biol 2020; 3:82. [PMID: 32081919 PMCID: PMC7035245 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0808-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Photoreceptor loss is a leading cause of blindness, but mechanisms underlying photoreceptor degeneration are not well understood. Treatment strategies would benefit from improved understanding of gene-expression patterns directing photoreceptor development, as many genes are implicated in both development and degeneration. Neural retina leucine zipper (NRL) is critical for rod photoreceptor genesis and degeneration, with NRL mutations known to cause enhanced S-cone syndrome and retinitis pigmentosa. While murine Nrl loss has been characterized, studies of human NRL can identify important insights for human retinal development and disease. We utilized iPSC organoid models of retinal development to molecularly define developmental alterations in a human model of NRL loss. Consistent with the function of NRL in rod fate specification, human retinal organoids lacking NRL develop S-opsin dominant photoreceptor populations. We report generation of two distinct S-opsin expressing populations in NRL null retinal organoids and identify MEF2C as a candidate regulator of cone development. Kallman et al. showed the effect of Nrl in human PSC-derived retinal organoids. Using histological and single cell transcriptomics, they identified an intermediate “cod” subpopulation in the predominant S-opsin population. Their findings provide important insights for human retinal development and degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Kallman
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Jie Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Aniruddha M Kaushik
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Alex D Jansen
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA
| | | | - Liben Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Cynthia A Berlinicke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - M Joseph Phillips
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA.,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA
| | - Eric A Pierce
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, USA
| | - Jiang Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Tza-Huei Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - David M Gamm
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA. .,McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, USA.
| | - Donald J Zack
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA. .,Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA. .,The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA. .,Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
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44
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Kaya KD, Chen HY, Brooks MJ, Kelley RA, Shimada H, Nagashima K, de Val N, Drinnan CT, Gieser L, Kruczek K, Erceg S, Li T, Lukovic D, Adlakha YK, Welby E, Swaroop A. Transcriptome-based molecular staging of human stem cell-derived retinal organoids uncovers accelerated photoreceptor differentiation by 9-cis retinal. Mol Vis 2019; 25:663-678. [PMID: 31814692 PMCID: PMC6857775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Retinal organoids generated from human pluripotent stem cells exhibit considerable variability during differentiation. Our goals are to assess developmental maturity of the neural retina in vitro and design improved protocols based on objective criteria. METHODS We performed transcriptome analyses of developing retinal organoids from human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell lines and utilized multiple bioinformatic tools for comparative analysis. Immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting and electron microscopy were employed for validation. RESULTS We show that the developmental variability in organoids was reflected in gene expression profiles and could be evaluated by molecular staging with the human fetal and adult retinal transcriptome data. We also demonstrate that the addition of 9-cis retinal, instead of the widely used all-trans retinoic acid, accelerated rod photoreceptor differentiation in organoid cultures, with higher rhodopsin expression and more mature mitochondrial morphology evident by day 120. CONCLUSION Our studies provide an objective transcriptome-based modality for determining the differentiation state of retinal organoids and for comparisons across different stem cell lines and platforms, which should facilitate disease modeling and evaluation of therapies in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koray D. Kaya
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Holly Y. Chen
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Matthew J. Brooks
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Ryan A. Kelley
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Hiroko Shimada
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Kunio Nagashima
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD
| | - Natalia de Val
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD
| | - Charles T. Drinnan
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Linn Gieser
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Kamil Kruczek
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Slaven Erceg
- Stem Cell Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab and National Stem Cell Bank – Valencia Node, Research Center Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Tiansen Li
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Dunja Lukovic
- Retinal Degeneration Lab and National Stem Cell Bank – Valencia Node, Research Center Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Yogita K. Adlakha
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD,Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana, India
| | - Emily Welby
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration & Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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45
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Ohlemacher SK, Langer KB, Fligor CM, Feder EM, Edler MC, Meyer JS. Advances in the Differentiation of Retinal Ganglion Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1186:121-140. [PMID: 31654388 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-28471-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technology has revolutionized the field of biology through the unprecedented ability to study the differentiation of human cells in vitro. In the past decade, hPSCs have been applied to study development, model disease, develop drugs, and devise cell replacement therapies for numerous biological systems. Of particular interest is the application of this technology to study and treat optic neuropathies such as glaucoma. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the primary cell type affected in these diseases, and once lost, they are unable to regenerate in adulthood. This necessitates the development of strategies to study the mechanisms of degeneration as well as develop translational therapeutic approaches to treat early- and late-stage disease progression. Numerous protocols have been established to derive RGCs from hPSCs, with the ability to generate large populations of human RGCs for translational applications. In this review, the key applications of hPSCs within the retinal field are described, including the use of these cells as developmental models, disease models, drug development, and finally, cell replacement therapies. In greater detail, the current report focuses on the differentiation of hPSC-derived RGCs and the many unique characteristics associated with these cells in vitro including their genetic identifiers, their electrophysiological activity, and their morphological maturation. Also described is the current progress in the use of patient-specific hPSCs to study optic neuropathies affecting RGCs, with emphasis on the use of these RGCs for studying disease mechanisms and pathogenesis, drug screening, and cell replacement therapies in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Ohlemacher
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kirstin B Langer
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Clarisse M Fligor
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Elyse M Feder
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Michael C Edler
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jason S Meyer
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, USA. .,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA. .,Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Artero Castro A, Rodríguez Jimenez FJ, Jendelova P, Erceg S. Deciphering retinal diseases through the generation of three dimensional stem cell-derived organoids: Concise Review. Stem Cells 2019; 37:1496-1504. [PMID: 31617949 PMCID: PMC6915910 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Three‐dimensional (3D) retinal organoids, in vitro tissue structures derived from self‐organizing cultures of differentiating human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells, could recapitulate some aspects of the cytoarchitectural structure and function of the retina in vivo. 3D retinal organoids display huge potential for the investigation of the pathogenesis of monogenic hereditary eye diseases that are related to the malfunction or degeneration of photoreceptors or retinal ganglion cells by providing an effective in vitro tool with multiple applications. In combination with recent genome editing tools, 3D retinal organoids could also represent a reliable and renewable source of transplantable cells for personalized therapies. In this review, we describe the recent advances in human pluripotent stem cells‐derived retinal organoids, determination of their histoarchitecture, complexity, and maturity. We also discuss their application as a means to decipher the pathogenesis of retinal diseases, as well as the main drawbacks and challenges. stem cells2019;37:1496–1504
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Artero Castro
- Stem Cells Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab, Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Pavla Jendelova
- Department of Tissue Cultures and Stem Cells, Czech Academy of Science, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Slaven Erceg
- Stem Cells Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab, Centro de Investigación Principe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain.,Department of Tissue Cultures and Stem Cells, Czech Academy of Science, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.,National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Proteomics, Genotyping and Cell Line Platform, PRB3, ISCIII, Research Centre Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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Gamm DM, Clark E, Capowski EE, Singh R. The Role of FGF9 in the Production of Neural Retina and RPE in a Pluripotent Stem Cell Model of Early Human Retinal Development. Am J Ophthalmol 2019; 206:113-131. [PMID: 31078532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2019.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in the production of neural retina (NR) and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) in a human pluripotent stem cell model of early retinal development. METHODS Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines from an individual with microphthalmia caused by a functional null mutation (R200Q) in visual system homeobox 2 (VSX2), a transcription factor involved in early NR progenitor cell (NRPC) production, and a normal sibling were differentiated along the retinal and forebrain lineages using an established protocol. Quantitative and global gene expression analyses (microarray and RNAseq) were used to investigate endogenous FGF expression profiles in these cultures over time. Based on these results, mutant and control hiPSC cultures were treated exogenously with selected FGFs and subjected to gene and protein expression analyses to determine their effects on RPE and NR production. RESULTS We found that FGF9 and FGF19 were selectively increased in early hiPSC-derived optic vesicles (OVs) when compared to isogenic cultures of hiPSC-derived forebrain neurospheres. Furthermore, these same FGFs were downregulated over time in (R200Q)VSX2 hiPSC-OVs relative to sibling control hiPSC-OVs. Interestingly, long-term supplementation with FGF9, but not FGF19, partially rescued the mutant retinal phenotype of the (R200Q)VSX2 hiPSC-OV model. However, antagonizing FGF9 in wild-type control hiPSCs did not alter OV development. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that FGF9 acts in concert with VSX2 to promote NR differentiation in hiPSC-OVs and has potential to be used to manipulate early retinogenesis and mitigate ocular defects caused by functional loss of VSX2 activity. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Gamm
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
| | - Eric Clark
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | | | - Ruchira Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
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Chen HY, Welby E, Li T, Swaroop A. Retinal disease in ciliopathies: Recent advances with a focus on stem cell-based therapies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 4:97-115. [PMID: 31763178 PMCID: PMC6839492 DOI: 10.3233/trd-190038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ciliopathies display extensive genetic and clinical heterogeneity, varying in severity, age of onset, disease progression and organ systems affected. Retinal involvement, as demonstrated by photoreceptor dysfunction or death, is a highly penetrant phenotype among a vast majority of ciliopathies. Photoreceptor cells possess a specialized and modified sensory cilium with membrane discs where efficient photon capture and ensuing signaling cascade initiate the visual process. Disruptions of cilia biogenesis and protein transport lead to impairment of photoreceptor function and eventually degeneration. Despite advances in elucidation of ciliogenesis and photoreceptor cilia defects, we have limited understanding of pathogenic mechanisms underlying retinal phenotype(s) observed in human ciliopathies. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based approaches offer a unique opportunity to complement studies with model organisms and examine cilia disease relevant to humans. Three-dimensional retinal organoids from iPSC lines feature laminated cytoarchitecture, apical-basal polarity and emergence of a ciliary structure, thereby permitting pathogenic modeling of human photoreceptors in vitro. Here, we review the biology of photoreceptor cilia and associated defects and discuss recent progress in evolving treatment modalities, especially using patient-derived iPSCs, for retinal ciliopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Yu Chen
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emily Welby
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tiansen Li
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anand Swaroop
- Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Mellough CB, Collin J, Queen R, Hilgen G, Dorgau B, Zerti D, Felemban M, White K, Sernagor E, Lako M. Systematic Comparison of Retinal Organoid Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Reveals Stage Specific, Cell Line, and Methodological Differences. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019; 8:694-706. [PMID: 30916455 PMCID: PMC6591558 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A major goal in the stem cell field is to generate tissues that can be utilized as a universal tool for in vitro models of development and disease, drug development, or as a resource for patients suffering from disease or injury. Great efforts are being made to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells in vitro toward retinal tissue, which is akin to native human retina in its cytoarchitecture and function, yet the numerous existing retinal induction protocols remain variable in their efficiency and do not routinely produce morphologically or functionally mature photoreceptors. Herein, we determine the impact that the method of embryoid body (EB) formation and maintenance as well as cell line background has on retinal organoid differentiation from human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells. Our data indicate that cell line-specific differences dominate the variables that underline the differentiation efficiency in the early stages of differentiation. In contrast, the EB generation method and maintenance conditions determine the later differentiation and maturation of retinal organoids. Of the latter, the mechanical method of EB generation under static conditions, accompanied by media supplementation with Y27632 for the first 48 hours of differentiation, results in the most consistent formation of laminated retinal neuroepithelium containing mature and electrophysiologically responsive photoreceptors. Collectively, our data provide substantive evidence for stage-specific differences in the ability to give rise to laminated retinae, which is determined by cell line-specific differences in the early stages of differentiation and EB generation/organoid maintenance methods at later stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla B. Mellough
- Institute of Genetic MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual ScienceLions Eye Institute, University of Western AustraliaPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Joseph Collin
- Institute of Genetic MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUnited Kingdom
| | - Rachel Queen
- Institute of Genetic MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUnited Kingdom
| | - Gerrit Hilgen
- Institute of NeuroscienceNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUnited Kingdom
| | - Birthe Dorgau
- Institute of Genetic MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUnited Kingdom
| | - Darin Zerti
- Institute of Genetic MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUnited Kingdom
| | - Majed Felemban
- Institute of Genetic MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUnited Kingdom
| | - Kathryn White
- EM Research ServicesNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUnited Kingdom
| | - Evelyne Sernagor
- Institute of NeuroscienceNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUnited Kingdom
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Institute of Genetic MedicineNewcastle UniversityNewcastleUnited Kingdom
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Photoreceptor cell replacement in macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa: A pluripotent stem cell-based approach. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 71:1-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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