[PDF][PDF] Characterization and transplantation of CD73-positive photoreceptors isolated from human iPSC-derived retinal organoids

G Gagliardi, KB M'Barek, A Chaffiol… - Stem Cell Reports, 2018 - cell.com
G Gagliardi, KB M'Barek, A Chaffiol, A Slembrouck-Brec, JB Conart, C Nanteau…
Stem Cell Reports, 2018cell.com
Photoreceptor degenerative diseases are a major cause of blindness for which cell
replacement is one of the most encouraging strategies. For stem cell-based therapy using
human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), it is crucial to obtain a homogenous
photoreceptor cell population. We confirmed that the cell surface antigen CD73 is
exclusively expressed in hiPSC-derived photoreceptors by generating a fluorescent cone
rod homeobox (Crx) reporter hiPSC line using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We …
Summary
Photoreceptor degenerative diseases are a major cause of blindness for which cell replacement is one of the most encouraging strategies. For stem cell-based therapy using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), it is crucial to obtain a homogenous photoreceptor cell population. We confirmed that the cell surface antigen CD73 is exclusively expressed in hiPSC-derived photoreceptors by generating a fluorescent cone rod homeobox (Crx) reporter hiPSC line using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We demonstrated that CD73 targeting by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) is an effective strategy to separate a safe population of transplantable photoreceptors. CD73+ photoreceptor precursors can be isolated in large numbers and transplanted into rat eyes, showing capacity to survive and mature in close proximity to host inner retina of a model of photoreceptor degeneration. These data demonstrate that CD73+ photoreceptor precursors hold great promise for a future safe clinical translation.
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