Blood-Derived Human iPS Cells Generate Optic Vesicle–Like Structures with the Capacity to Form Retinal Laminae and Develop Synapses

We demonstrate for the first time that human blood-derived iPSCs can generate retinal cell types, providing a highly convenient donor cell source for iPSC-based retinal studies. We also show that cultured TiPSC-OVs have the capacity to self-assemble into rudimentary neuroretinal structures and express markers indicative of chemical and electrical synapses.