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Small-Molecule Conversion of Neural Crest Cells to Corneal Endothelial Cells for Endothelial Regeneration

ABSTRACT: Purpose: Corneal endothelial dysfunction leads to irreversible blindness, yet treatment remains constrained by a global shortage of donor tissue. This study aimed to develop a donor-independent strategy for generating functional corneal endothelial cells (CECs) by reprogramming murine neural crest cells (NCCs) through pharmacological inhibition of TGF-β signaling. Methods: NCCs were genetically labeled and isolated from E13.5 Wnt1-Cre;Rosa26-LSL-tdTomato mouse embryos by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Sorted NCCs were treated with the selective TGF-β inhibitor SB431542 to induce conversion into induced corneal endothelial–like cells (iCECs). Cell identity was validated by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, wound-healing and endocytic uptake assays, and bulk RNA sequencing with comparison to primary CECs and NCCs. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed by transplanting iCECs into a rabbit model of corneal endothelial dysfunction induced by descemetorhexis. Results: SB431542 treatment efficiently converted NCCs into polygonal, cobblestone-like iCECs that expressed canonical CEC markers (ZO-1, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, AQP1, Laminin) while silencing neural crest genes. Approximately 85% of iCECs were Ki67-positive, and cells achieved complete wound closure within 24 hours. Transcriptomic profiling confirmed that iCECs closely resembled primary CECs and were clearly distinct from NCCs. Following transplantation, iCECs reconstituted a confluent endothelial monolayer, normalized central corneal thickness, and restored corneal transparency by Day 35, whereas untreated controls remained opaque. Conclusions: Targeted TGF-β inhibition enables efficient lineage conversion of NCCs into functional corneal endothelial–like cells with robust proliferative capacity and in vivo therapeutic efficacy. This pharmacologically defined strategy provides a scalable, donor-independent cell source and offers a promising therapeutic approach for corneal endothelial diseases.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE319421 | GEO | 2026/02/28

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Purpose: We previously reported the generation of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) using the human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)-originated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Herein, we extend our analysis through RNA-Seq based transcriptome profiling of H9 human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)- and iPSCs-derived CECs. Methods: The PBMC obtained from a healthy donor were subjected to generate iPSCs using Sendai-virus delivery system Cytotune 2.0 whereas the H9 hESCs were obtained commercially. Both hESCs and iPSCs were subjected to the 20-day procedure according to our previously published CECs generation method. The differentiated CECs were characterized by immunocytochemistry. Total RNA from hESCs- and iPSCs-derived CECs was used for the preparation of RNA-Seq libraries, which were sequenced on HiSeq 2500 system. The raw RNA-Seq reads were processed and analyzed using Lasergene Genomics Suite and the expression profiles were examined for differential expression using Spotfire DecisionSite with Functional Genomics. Results: The hESCs and iPSCs were differentiated into CECs through multipotent neural crest cells (NCCs) using a 20-day procedure. The differentiating CECs on day 20 (D20) exhibited a tightly packed hexagonal/polygonal shape, which expressed CECs-associated markers, zona occludens-1 and N-cadherin at the cell boundaries. A total of 180.18, and 179.01 million reads were obtained for hESCs- and iPSCs-derived CECs, respectively. Of these, >97% reads aligned to the human reference genome resulting in >250x sequence coverage for both hESCs- and iPSCs-derived CECs. Additional analysis identified expression (≥ 0.659 RPKM) of 13,561 and 13,551 genes in hESCs- and iPSCs-derived CECs, respectively, representing ~68% of the total human protein-coding transcriptome expressed in these CECs. Finally, a comparative analysis of both hESCs- and iPSCs-derived CECs transcriptomes identified >95% similarity at the gene level. Conclusion: These analyses reveal an overall similar transcriptional profile in both hESCs- and iPSCs-derived CECs.

Project description:Human corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are not able to proliferate or regenerate within the eye. However, limited in vitro expansion of primary human CECs has been demonstrated by several laboratories, including ours. Due to the nature of these primary cells, various culture conditions supporting the active proliferation of these cells also drives them towards an endothelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) into fibroblastic-like cells. The occurrence of such a phenomenon has been observed as early as after the first round of passage. However, it should be noted that the degree of such transformation is highly heterogeneous, due likely to donor variability. In the current study, propagation of primary human CECs was carried out using a novel dual media approach, where M4 (F99: HamM-bM-^@M-^Ys F12/M199, 5% FBS, 20 M-NM-<g/ml ascorbic acid, 1% ITS, 1% antibiotic/antimycotic and 10 ng/ml bFGF) was used to promote the proliferation of the CECs, and M5 (Endo: Human Endothelial-SFM, 5% FBS and 1% antibiotic/antimycotic), was used to stabilized these primary CECs when they reached 80% to 90% confluence.Primary cultures exposed to M5 were able to maintain the unique cellular structure of the human corneal endothelial cells and do not undergo EMT. In order to better understand the observed morphological changes at the molecular level following the switch from the proliferative M4 medium to the maintainance M5 medium, high throughput microarray analysis was performed on human CECs isolated from two donors and cultivated to the third passage. Subsequently, the global gene expression profile of the confluent human CECs expanded in M4 for the first (D17p) and second donor (D18p), were compared to the same set of the confluent human CECs maintained in M5 medium (D17m and D18m) for a further seven days. Primary human CECs were expanded using the dual media approach to the third passage. Total RNA obtained from confluent P3 human CECs samples grown in the proliferative M4 medium (D17p and D18p) were compared to the same set of primary cultures that were exposed to M5 for a further 7 days (D17m and D18m).

Project description:Purpose: Corneal endothelial cells (CECs), located in the innermost layer of cornea, are crucial for maintaining its transparency. Peptidylarginine deiminase 2 (PAD2) is an enzyme responsible for catalyzing the post-translational modification of arginine into citrulline, a process known as citrullination. In this study, we investigated the effect of AMF30a, PAD2 inhibitor, on survival and function of CECs. Methods: Cultured human CECs (hCECs) were treated with AMF30a, followed by treatments with or without AMF30a under transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). Cells were cultured from donor corneas and analyzed for viability (CCK-8), proliferation (BrdU assay), cytotoxicity (LDH assay), and oxidative stress (DCF-DA). Adhesion and morphology were evaluated via crystal violet staining and imaging software. Western blot and immunofluorescence identified protein expression and localization. RNA sequencing revealed differentially expressed genes, with functional enrichment via GO analysis. Results: AMF30a enhanced cell viability, proliferation, and adhesion while reducing cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. Morphological analysis revealed reduced cell size and elongation factor, indicating structural changes. AMF30a modulated the HIPPO signaling pathway by increasing YAP phosphorylation and reducing its nuclear translocation, while downregulating ERK1/2 activation. Transcriptome analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with AMF30a treatment, highlighting pathways related to GPCR signaling and protein targeting. Additionally, AMF30a counteracted TGF-β-induced effects, including increased oxidative stress, citrullination, and ROCK/HIPPO signaling activation, thereby promoting cell cycle progression and reducing senescence. Conclusion: PAD2-mediated citrullination is essential for TGF-β/ROCK/HIPPO signaling pathway. AMF30a promoted the proliferation and protected against TGF-β-induced senescence in hCECs, suggesting that PAD2 plays a significant role in the survival and function of hCECs. Thus, AMF30a may be a promising therapeutic strategy for hCEC diseases.

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Small-Molecule Conversion of Neural Crest Cells to Corneal Endothelial Cells for Endothelial Regeneration

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