Gene expression analysis of corneal endothelial cells in iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

Iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome is a rare ocular disease affecting the anterior segment, characterized by progressive deterioration leading to significant complications, including corneal endothelial compensation and secondary glaucoma. The unclear etiology of this syndrome limits clinical management to symptomatic interventions. The abnormality of corneal endothelial cells (ICE cells) in patients with ICE syndrome is considered the initial step of this disease. This study endeavors to elucidate the transcriptomic profiles of ICE cells utilizing smart-seq2 single-cell RNA sequencing techniques. Overall design: The Descemet's membrane from both patients with ICE syndrome and donors was harvested, tissue dissociated, and cells were retrieved under a microscope using a pipette. In each technical replicate, 1-5 cells were selected.