Retinal organoid-based model of retinoblastoma
2022
Leibniz Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
In this study, a model for retinoblastoma, a tumor of the eye’s retina that is caused by inactivation of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene, is described. The model is based on organoids derived from the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into neural retina after the inactivation of RB1 by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis.
Compared to wild-type organoids, loss of RB1 resulted in spatially disorganized organoids and aberrant differentiation, indicated by the disintegration of organoids and depletion of most retinal cell types despite cone photoreceptor cells. The gene expression signature in the model resembled that of tumor material, as revealed by transcriptome analysis.
The organoid-based model enables research on retinoblastoma, understanding of tumor development, and preclinical research.
RB1-negative retinal organoids display proliferation of cone photoreceptors and loss of retinal differentiation
Laura Steenpass
Added on: 08-18-2022
[1] https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/14/9/2166
