Generation of Anterior Segment of the Eye Cells from hiPSCs in Microfluidic Platforms


Koçak G., Uyulgan S., Polatlı E., Sarı V., Kahveci B., Bursali A., ...More

Advanced Biology, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/adbi.202400018
  • Journal Name: Advanced Biology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Keywords: hiPSC, mechanotransduction, metabolomics, ocular cell, on-chip system, organoid, transcriptomics
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Ophthalmic diseases affect many people, causing partial or total loss of vision and a reduced quality of life. The anterior segment of the eye accounts for nearly half of all visual impairment that can lead to blindness. Therefore, there is a growing demand for ocular research and regenerative medicine that specifically targets the anterior segment to improve vision quality. This study aims to generate a microfluidic platform for investigating the formation of the anterior segment of the eye derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) under various spatial-mechanoresponsive conditions. Microfluidic platforms are developed to examine the effects of dynamic conditions on the generation of hiPSCs-derived ocular organoids. The differentiation protocol is validated, and mechanoresponsive genes are identified through transcriptomic analysis. Several culture strategies is implemented for the anterior segment of eye cells in a microfluidic chip. hiPSC-derived cells showed anterior eye cell characteristics in mRNA and protein expression levels under dynamic culture conditions. The expression levels of yes-associated protein and transcriptional coactivator PDZ binding motif (YAP/TAZ) and PIEZO1, varied depending on the differentiation and growth conditions of the cells, as well as the metabolomic profiles under dynamic culture conditions.