ScRNA-seq analysis of in vivo rat choroid and rat choroid in vitro co-cultured with human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) derived endothelial cells

Choroidal atrophy is a common fundus pathological change closely related to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, and pathological myopia. Studies suggested that choroidal endothelial cells (CECs) that form the choriocapillaris vessels are the first cells lost in choroidal atrophy. Endothelial cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC-ECs) can form blood vessels in vivo and in vitro. We isolated rat choroid and co-cultured with hPSC-ECs. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) studies showed that rat choroid ECs seemed to lose endothelial identity while hPSC-ECs upregulated angiogenesis and hypoxia genes after interacting with choroid. Overall design: Perform scRNA-seq of fresh dissected rat choroid and rat choroid co-cultured with hPSC-EC for 48 hours.