Direct Reprogramming of Human Fibroblasts into Retinal Progenitor Cells by Small Molecules to Treat Photoreceptor Degeneration

Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) hold promise for restoring vision in advanced stages of photoreceptor degeneration. We have developed a technique to directly reprogram human Tenon's fibroblasts (HTFs) into induced RPC-like cells (iRPCs) using small molecules. To explore the transcriptomic profile of iRPCs, we performed bulk RNA-seq analysis of HTFs and FACS-sorted iRPCs. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis demonstrated significantly highly enriched GO terms include Proteinaceous Extracellular Matrix, Axon and Dendrite, Synaptic Membrane and Transport Vesicle, Presynapse and Postsynapse, Basement Membrane and Collagen Trimer, Platelet Alpha Granule and ER Lumen. The significantly down-regulated GOs were Spindle and Chromosomal Structures, Sarcomere and Muscle Fiber Components, Cell Adhesion Complexes. RNA-seq profilling of HTFs and their derivatives (iRPCs) at day0 and day6 of chemical reprogramming