The anterior lens capsule used as support material in RPE cell‐transplantation

Abstract

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.

Retinal Progenitor Cell Xenografts to the Pig Retina: Immunological Reactions

“…These include the Brazilknowledged to be perhaps the best model for the human eye from a surgical standpoint because the size, shape, ian opposum (26), rabbit (1,5,22), cat (9), dog (2,27), and primate (7). We and others (6,11,20,28) have identiand internal structures are remarkably similar to those of humans, even more so than most primates. Although fied the pig as a candidate model for the development of retinal and RPE repair strategies.…”

Progenitor Cells from the Porcine Neural Retina Express Photoreceptor Markers After Transplantation to the Subretinal Space of Allorecipients

“…One animal that has proven particularly useful for modeling human subretinal surgery is the pig [13][14][15]. In addition to anatomical considerations, we have recently reported that the gene expression profile of cultured porcine forebrain progenitor cells more closely resembles that of the analogous human cells than that of the mouse [16].…”

Microcontact Printing on Human Tissue for Retinal Cell Transplantation

“…The use of autologous tissue, such as a patient's own anterior lens capsule, offers several advantages over synthetic culture substrates because it can safely be implanted in delicate areas such as the subretinal space without inducing an immune rejection. 16 Our group is investigating these micropatterned membranes for transplantation of RPE and IPE cells as a treatment for AMD; however, microprinted human tissue such as lens capsule or other biological membranes may prove applicable as a universal membrane substrate for other ocular diseases or in tissue engineering applications elsewhere in the body.…”

“…Several groups have found that unpatterned cells not only take on fusiform shapes but often lose polarity, phenotype, and differentiated features. 16 We believe that microcontact printing might resolve this problem by preventing uncontrolled cell growth and directing a precise organization of cells on the substrate. Microcontact printing is a powerful microfabrication method that can engineer a surface with chemically active patterns or topologic features with sizes ranging 30 nm to 100 µm.…”

“…Of these, human lens capsule has emerged as an excellent candidate for subretinal transplantation because it is a readily obtainable autologous tissue that already functions as an endogenous basement membrane for lens epithelial cells. 15,16 It consists mainly of large glycoproteins including collagen type IV, laminin, and fibronectin. 17 Even though lens capsule is the thickest basement membrane in the body, it measures only approximately 15 µm in thickness at its anterior pole.…”