A New Model of Retinal Pigment Epithelium Transplantation With Microspheres

Abstract

To develop a 3-dimensional carrier system for subretinal transplantation of human fetal retinal pigment epithelial (HFRPE) cells and to assess their growth pattern in the rabbit subretinal space. Methods: After a standard 3-port vitrectomy, HFRPE cells grown as microspheres on cross-linked fibrinogen were introduced into the subretinal space of rabbits. The eyes were studied at 7, 14, and 30 days after surgery by ophthalmoscopy and light microscopy. Results: Ophthalmoscopically, at day 7, 11 (61%) of the 18 eyes showed radiating hyperpigmentation around the transplanted HFRPE microspheres. The results of a histological examination revealed a monolayer outgrowth of HFRPE cells, overlying host retinal pigment epithelium. The control eyes revealed a patch of chorioretinal atrophy with lymphocytic infiltration around the microspheres.

A model for xenogenic immune response

“…Pigmented epithelial cells can form three-dimensional culture arrangements known as spheroids [3,9,10,12]. These three-dimensional cellular arrangements have been used for cultivation and transfer of ocular cells in vitro.…”

Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells into Retinal Pigmented Epithelium

“…Natural polymers could be more advantageous and are currently being purified and used to grow hESC-RPE and iPSC-RPE. ECM proteins secreted from RPE [120] and corneal endothelial cells [120,121], isolated gelatins and collagens [117,120,[122][123][124][125], alginates [108], hyaluronic acid [108], fibrinogens [126], vitronectin [117,118], laminins [117,118,121], and fibronectins [118,121] all can support RPE growth. In addition to human purified proteins, a combination of ECM proteins derived from the mouse Englebreth-Holm-Swarm tumor called Matrigel is also efficient for culturing RPE [124].…”

A tissue-engineered approach towards retinal repair: Scaffolds for cell transplantation to the subretinal space

“…These membranes have the potential to be an autologous scaffold, with material developed from a patient′s own blood. Fibrinogen particles have also been examined for the delivery of RPE cells, but was not well tolerated by host retina in vivo [140].…”