Features specific to retinal pigment epithelium cells derived from three-dimensional human embryonic stem cell cultures — a new donor for cell therapy

Abstract

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantation is a particularly promising treatment of retinal degenerative diseases affecting RPE-photoreceptor complex. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provide an abundant donor source for RPE transplantation. Herein, we studied the time-course characteristics of RPE cells derived from three-dimensional human ESCs cultures (3D-RPE). We showed that 3D-RPE cells possessed morphology, ultrastructure, gene expression profile, and functions of authentic RPE. As differentiation proceeded, 3D-RPE cells could mature gradually with decreasing proliferation but increasing functions. Besides, 3D-RPE cells could form polarized monolayer with functional tight junction and gap junction. When grafted into the subretinal space of Royal College of Surgeons rats, 3D-RPE cells were safe and efficient to rescue retinal degeneration. This study showed that 3D-RPE cells were a new donor for cell therapy of retinal degenerative diseases.

Evaluating the cytotoxicity of graphene oxide using embryonic stem cells‐derived cells

“…In our previous study of RPE cells derived from 3D human ESC cultures, we showed that these ESC‐RPE cells resemble primary RPE cells very closely, in terms of their morphology, ultrastructure, gene expression profile, and cellular function (Wu, Zeng, et al, ). It is likely, therefore, that this similarity in structure and function underlies the similar cellular responses to GO nanosheets toxicity.…”

“…ESC‐RPE cells were derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) line H1 (Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, China) by 3D cultures. For details of the methods and equipment used, please refer to our previous study (Wu, Zeng, et al, ). In brief, hESCs were cultured in V‐bottomed conical wells with differentiation medium (G‐MEM, 20% KSR, 0.1 mM nonessential amino acids, 1 mM pyruvate, 0.1 mM 2‐mercaptoethanol, 3 μM IWR1e, 1% v/v Matrigel).…”

“…The structure of synthesized GO samples was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD; Cu-Kα radiation; X'Pert PRO, Malvern Panalytical, Malvern, UK). used, please refer to our previous study (Wu, Zeng, et al, 2016). In brief, hESCs were cultured in V-bottomed conical wells with differentiation medium (G-MEM, 20% KSR, 0.1 mM nonessential amino acids, 1 mM pyruvate, 0.1 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 3 μM IWR1e, 1% v/v Matrigel).…”

“…Three‐dimensional (3D) ESC cultures based on 3D embryoid body differentiation have attracted particular attention because 3D cultures mimic normal development of embryonic tissue (Knight & Przyborski, ; Shamir & Ewald, ). Also, 3D ESC cultures can yield cells that are equivalent to native cells (Gonzalez‐Cordero et al, ; Wu et al, ). Recently, 3D cultures have been recommended to assess the safety of nanomaterials (Natalie et al, ).…”

Identifying core biological processes distinguishing human eye tissues with precise systems-level gene expression analyses and weighted correlation networks

“…Hand searching the studies to identify human eye tissue samples that did not have chemical, pharmacological, or genetic modifications or known eyedisease pared the initial search down to 219 samples across 21 studies (Supplementary Material Table S1, Fig. 1A) (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). The metadata of the remaining eye samples was queried and parsed to label each sample by a tissue (cornea, retina, RPE) and origin (immortalized cell line, stem cell line, fetal tissue, adult tissue) ( Fig.…”