RB1-Negative Retinal Organoids Display Proliferation of Cone Photoreceptors and Loss of Retinal Differentiation

Retinoblastoma is a tumor of the eye's retina, which is the very specialized tissue responsible for vision. In 98% of cases, the tumor is caused by inactivation of the RB1 gene. Due to lack of material and models, the understanding of RB1 mutations in tumor development is still unsatisfactory. We aimed to establish a human laboratory model for retinoblastoma. While differentiating stem cells with a mutation in RB1 into retina, we observed reduced differentiation potential but enhanced proliferation-general hallmarks of tumor development. The gene expression signature in the model resembled that of tumor material. This approach now enables research on retinoblastoma and probably therapy in the correct tissue, the human retina. Retinoblastoma is a tumor of the eye in children under the age of five caused by biallelic inactivation of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene in maturing retinal cells. Cancer models are essential for understanding tumor development and in preclinical research. Because of the complex organization of the human retina, such models were challenging to develop for retinoblastoma. Here, we present an organoid model based on differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into neural retina after inactivation of RB1 by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis. Wildtype and RB1 heterozygous mutant retinal organoids were indistinguishable with respect to morphology, temporal development of retinal cell types and global mRNA expression. However, loss of pRB resulted in spatially disorganized organoids and aberrant differentiation, indicated by disintegration of organoids beyond day 130 of differentiation and depletion of most retinal cell types. Only cone photoreceptors were abundant and continued to proliferate, supporting these as candidate cells-of-origin for retinoblastoma. Transcriptome analysis of RB1 knockout organoids and primary retinoblastoma revealed gain of a retinoblastoma expression signature in the organoids, characterized by upregulation of RBL1 (p107), MDM2, DEK, SYK and HELLS. In addition, genes related to immune response and extracellular matrix were specifically upregulated in RBI-negative organoids. In vitro retinal organoids therefore display some features associated with retinoblastoma and, so far, represent the only valid human cancer model for the development of this disease.

Automated summary

Retinoblastoma is a tumor of the retina that mainly affects children. It is caused by inactivation of the RB1 gene in retinal cells. This study aimed to establish a human laboratory model for retinoblastoma. By differentiating stem cells with a mutation in RB1 into the retina, the researchers observed similar characteristics to tumor development, such as reduced differentiation potential and enhanced proliferation. The gene expression in the model resembled that of tumor material. This model allows for research and potential therapy for retinoblastoma in the human retina.