ABSTRACT
Replacement of diseased retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells with healthy RPE cells by transplantation is one option to treat several retinal degenerative diseases including age-related macular degeneration,which are caused by RPE loss and dysfunction.A cellular scaffold as a carrier for transplanted cells,may hold immense promise for facilitating cell migration and promoting the integration of RPE ceils into the host environment.Scaffolds can be prepared from a variety of natural and synthetic materials.Strategies,such as surface modification and structure adjustment,can improve the biomimetic properties of the scaffolds,optimize cell attachment and cellular function following transplantation and lay a foundation of clinical application in the future.
ABSTRACT
For ideal transplantation, donor RPE cells could be cultured and transplanted in the form of sheet, by using thin film-like substrates where RPE cells could be attached. In this study, poly DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), one of the biodegradable polymer, was used to make thin film for RPE sheet. The physical characteristics of PLGA film and the stability of polymer-cell complex were investigated whether it was suitable for RPE culture and transplantation. Thin film of 50:50 PLGA solution was prepared on the surface of 35 mm glass culture dish. The measured thickness of this film was 24 +/-6 micrometer . Under the scanning electron microscope examination, the surface of PLGA film was smooth and the polymers were arranged regularly. And microdefect was not found on the film. RPE cells were cultured on the PLGA film successfully and the population was confluent by 7th or 8th day. Small polymer-cell complex sheet was obtained successfully without damage. The polymer-cell complex sheet have kept stability during manupulation. In conclusion, sheet form transplantation of cultured RPE using PLGA film is a useful method for successful RPE transplantation.