Single-cell transcriptomics reveals maturation of transplanted stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells toward native state.

ABSTRACT: Transplantation of stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is considered a viable therapeutic option for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Several landmark Phase I/II clinical trials have demonstrated safety and tolerability of RPE transplants in AMD patients, albeit with limited efficacy. Currently, there is limited understanding of how the recipient retina regulates the survival, maturation, and fate specification of transplanted RPE cells. To address this, we transplanted stem cell-derived RPE into the subretinal space of immunocompetent rabbits for 1 mo and conducted single-cell RNA sequencing analyses on the explanted RPE monolayers, compared to their age-matched in vitro counterparts. We observed an unequivocal retention of RPE identity, and a trajectory-inferr

SUBMITTER: Parikh BH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10293804 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature