Repopulation of decellularized retinas with hiPSC-derived retinal pigment epithelial and ocular progenitor cells shows cell engraftment, organization and differentiation

The retinal extracellular matrix (ECM) provides architectural support, adhesion and signal guidance that controls development. Decellularization of the ECM affords great potential to tissue engineering; however, how structural affects in vitro development, differentiation maturation ocular cells remains be elucidated. Here, mouse porcine retinas were decellularized protein profile analyzed. Acellular (arECM) scaffolds then repopulated with human iPSC-derived pigment epithelial (RPE) or progenitor (OPC) assess their integration, proliferation organization. 3837 2612 unique proteins identified arECM, respectively, which 93 116 belong matrisome. GO analysis shows matrisome-related associated region cell junction KEGG pathways related signalling transduction, nervous endocrine systems junctions enriched. Interestingly, arECMs successfully both RPE OPC, latter exhibiting lineage-specific clusters. Retinal organized into different layers containing well-defined areas pigmented cells, photoreceptors, Müller glia, astrocytes, ganglion whereas other areas, conjunctival/limbal, corneal lens re-arranged cell-specific self-organized areas. In conclusion, our results demonstrated decellularization retains common native components upon repopulation could guide similar adhesion, migration