Fig. 1.

Rapid and efficient differentiation of hESC/hiPSC-derived RPE cells. a Schematic of differentiation protocol. b RT-qPCR gene expression analysis of genes involved in early retinal identity. Data presented as target gene expression relative to mean expression of three housekeeping genes (n = 5). Data expressed as mean ± SEM. Data are represented as mean ± SEM; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, n.s. = not significant (Student t test). c Representative brightfield microscopy images of H1 hESC confluent cell culture undergoing differentiation to RPE. Arrow indicates first sign of pigmentation. d Immunocytochemical analysis of cryosections of hESC-derived cysts at day 18. Ten-micrometer-thin slices were stained for PAX6, ZO1, and RAX and nuclei were counterstained with DAPI. e Representative images of H1 hESC culture developing pigmentation over time in a six well plate. f High magnification brightfield image of RPE cells at the end of the induction stage