The present study reveals a significantly greater loss of corneal endothelial cells in a diabetic group under good glycemic control, compared with nondiabetic group 3 months after phacoemulsification. The morphological changes in the endothelial cells in patients with well-controlled diabetes were not reflected in impaired function as judged by CCT.
ABSTRACT.Purpose: To investigate the use of an ocular basement membrane as support material for transplanted porcine RPE cells. Methods: Porcine RPE cells were grown on bovine corneal extracellular matrix (ECM), isolated bovine-and porcine lens capsules, and tissue culture plastic. Cell density, and cell morphology were studied by phase contrast microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Results: RPE cells grown on porcine anterior lens capsule and on ECM obtained better morphology and higher final cell density than cells grown on plastic and on bovine anterior lens capsule. It was possible to transplant the porcine anterior lens capsule to the subretinal space in pigs. Within two weeks of observation, the lens capsule was well tolerated in the subretinal space. Conclusion: The anterior lens capsule seems to be promising as support material for use in RPE cell-transplantation.
ABSTRACT.Purpose: To establish and characterize cultures of porcine retinal pigment epithelial (pRPE) cells in order to produce confluent monolayers of cells for transplantation. Methods: Primary pRPE cell cultures were established. Cell morphology was assessed by phase contrast and electron microscopy. Growth was determined by the crystal violet dye uptake assay. DNA synthesis and content were measured by incorporation of 3 H-thymidine and flow cytometry. Results: This primary culture resulted in cells with well-preserved morphology that could be propagated in up to six passages. The deterioration observed over time in cultures was not due to a constant high rate of cell turnover as postconfluency cell proliferation was limited. However, a large fraction of the cells had a high DNA content despite a lack of active DNA synthesis. Conclusions: The present method yields pRPE cells of high purity and proliferative capacity with preserved epithelial phenotype. However, aberrant DNA profiles and the deterioration of cell morphology observed over time in this graft material represent serious problems in RPE transplantation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.