Generation Of Lens Cells From Human Urine-derived IPSc In Three-dimensional Culture

The eye lens is an encapsulated avascular organ whose function is to focus light on the retina. Lens comprises a single progenitor cell lineage in multiple states of differentiation. Disruption of lens function leading to protein aggregation and opacity results in age-onset cataract. Cataract is a complex disease involving genetic and environmental factors. Here, we took an experimental approach using a three-dimensional (3D) embryonic stem (ES) cell culture system and combined a3-stage system using cell signaling factors. We successfully differentiates human urine-derived pluripotent stem cells(hUiPSc) into large quantities of lens progenitor-like cells and differentiated3-dimensional lentoid bodies. What’s more, we chose two culture mediums (mTeSR and differentiation medium) for this differentiation process. At last, we detected lens-related genes and proteins. This study first established an experimental approach differentiating UiPSc to lens cells in3D condition, which provide a strategy for future lens developments.