Molecular profiling of retinal pigment epithelial cell differentiation for therapeutic use

ABSTRACT Human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells (hESC-RPE) are a promising cell source to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Despite several ongoing clinical studies, detailed single cell mapping of the transient cellular and molecular dynamics from the pluripotent state to mature RPE has not been performed. Here we conduct single-cell transcriptomic analyses of 25,718 cells during differentiation as well as in embryonic and adult retina references, revealing differentiation progression through an un-expected initial cell diversification recapitulating early embryonic development before converging towards an RPE lineage. We also identified NCAM1 to track and capture an intermediate retinal progenitor with the potential to give rise to multiple neuroepithelial lineages. Finally, we profiled hESC-RPE cells after subretinal transplantation into the rabbit eye, uncovering robust in vivo maturation towards an adult state. Our detailed evaluation of hESC-RPE differentiation supports the development of safe and efficient pluripotent stem cell-based therapies for AMD.