Bioprinted 3D Outer Retina Barrier Uncovers RPE-dependent Choroidal Phenotype in Advanced Macular Degeneration

We engineered a native-like 3D-oBRB tissue by bioprinting endothelial cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts on the basal side of a biodegradable scaffold and establishing an RPE monolayer on top. To investigate the communication between endothelial cells, fibroblasts, pericytes and retinal pigment epithelial cells, we grew them as either 2D cell cultures or as 3D bioprinted outer blood retinal barrier tissues and harvested cells for single-cell RNAseq after 6 weeks of maturation. Overall design: Comparative gene expression profiling analysis of RNA-seq data for primary and iPSC-derived endothelial cells, fibroblasts, pericytes and retinal pigment epithelial cells in either 2D culture, 3D-bioprinted outer blood-retinal barrier tissues, and 3D-bioprinted outer blood-retinal barrier tissues without RPE.