Biophysical, Molecular and Proteomic Profiling of Human Retinal Organoid-Derived Exosomes

This publication investigates extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosome-enriched populations, produced by human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal organoids cultured in a Vertical-Wheel bioreactor system. The authors compare EVs from retinal organoids with those derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, evaluating particle concentration, morphology, protein content, nanomechanical properties, molecular markers, and proteomic composition. Bioreactor-grown retinal organoids generated EV populations with distinct protein signatures associated with retinal development and function. The study also examines expression of EV biogenesis markers and differences between developmental stages of retinal organoids. The findings provide detailed characterization data that support further investigation of retinal organoid-derived EVs as potential cell-free therapeutic and disease-modeling tools for ophthalmic research.