Effects of biologic tissue adhesives on retinal pigment epithelial chemotaxis: a comparative in vitro study

ABSTRACT

Using a modified Boyden chamber technique, the chemotactic activities of three biologic tissue adhesives [Fibronectin [FN], cell tak [CT] and matrigel [MAT]] were studied. It was found that, FN as a biologic adhesive at a concentration of 50 mug/ml, stimulated the migration of human retinal pigment epithelial [HRPE] cells, but not a great extent. Cell tak [CT] stimulated chemotaxis of HRPE cells much more effectively than FN. However, CT was combined with growth factor [as FN at a concentration of 1.5 mug/ml] or transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-B at a concentration of 10 pg/ml] it did not enhance or diminish the migration of HRPE cells. Matrigel [MAT] by itself had very little chemotactic activity. However, the migration of HRPE cells was greatly enhanced when FN and/or TGPB were added as growth factors. The study concluded that, biologic tissue adhesives exhibit variable chemotactic activities, these were maximum with cell tak, moderate with fibronectin and minimal with matrigel. However, the presence of serum components might modify this activity. The results of this preliminary study demonstrated another important feature of a biologically active tissue adhesive when used as a chorioretinal glue, its potential RPE chemotactic activity. This entails a definite clinical significance during the management of complicated cases of retinal detachment [RD], especially those associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy [PVR] or the presence of serum components within the vitreous cavity after trauma or breakdown of the blood retinal barrier [BRB]