1
|
Heredero Berzal A, Wagstaff EL, ten Asbroek ALMA, ten Brink JB, Bergen AA, Boon CJF. The Analysis of Embryoid Body Formation and Its Role in Retinal Organoid Development. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1444. [PMID: 38338722 PMCID: PMC10855324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031444] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Within the last decade, a wide variety of protocols have emerged for the generation of retinal organoids. A subset of studies have compared protocols based on stem cell source, the physical features of the microenvironment, and both internal and external signals, all features that influence embryoid body and retinal organoid formation. Most of these comparisons have focused on the effect of signaling pathways on retinal organoid development. In this study, our aim is to understand whether starting cell conditions, specifically those involved in embryoid body formation, affect the development of retinal organoids in terms of differentiation capacity and reproducibility. To investigate this, we used the popular 3D floating culture method to generate retinal organoids from stem cells. This method starts with either small clumps of stem cells generated from larger clones (clumps protocol, CP) or with an aggregation of single cells (single cells protocol, SCP). Using histological analysis and gene-expression comparison, we found a retention of the pluripotency capacity on embryoid bodies generated through the SCP compared to the CP. Nonetheless, these early developmental differences seem not to impact the final retinal organoid formation, suggesting a potential compensatory mechanism during the neurosphere stage. This study not only facilitates an in-depth exploration of embryoid body development but also provides valuable insights for the selection of the most suitable protocol in order to study retinal development and to model inherited retinal disorders in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Heredero Berzal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.L.W.); (A.L.M.A.t.A.); (J.B.t.B.)
| | - Ellie L. Wagstaff
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.L.W.); (A.L.M.A.t.A.); (J.B.t.B.)
| | - Anneloor L. M. A. ten Asbroek
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.L.W.); (A.L.M.A.t.A.); (J.B.t.B.)
| | - Jacoline B. ten Brink
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.L.W.); (A.L.M.A.t.A.); (J.B.t.B.)
| | - Arthur A. Bergen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (E.L.W.); (A.L.M.A.t.A.); (J.B.t.B.)
- Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Camiel J. F. Boon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|