Light-focusing human micro-lenses generated from pluripotent stem cells model lens development and drug-induced cataractin vitro

摘要: Cataracts cause vision loss and blindness by impairing the ability of ocular lens to focus light onto retina. Various cataract risk factors have been identified, including drug treatments, age, smoking diabetes. However, molecular events responsible for these different forms are ill-defined, advent modern surgery in 1960s virtually eliminated access human lenses research. Here, we demonstrate large-scale production light-focusing micro-lenses from spheroidal masses epithelial cells purified differentiating pluripotent stem cells. The display similar morphology, cellular arrangement, mRNA expression protein lenses. Exposing emergent cystic fibrosis Vx-770 reduces micro-lens transparency focusing ability. These provide a powerful platform defining disease mechanisms caused factors, anti-cataract screening clinically relevant toxicity assays.