[Structure of a cell bank for transplantation of HLA-typed, cryopreserved human adult retinal pigment epithelial cells].
BACKGROUND
The transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) in patients with age-related macular degeneration is discussed as a future therapy. A cornea bank can serve as a source for cells that can be isolated, cultivated, HLA-typed and cryopreserved for subsequent tissue-compatible transplantation.


METHODS
RPE cells are isolated enzymatically from donor eyes and are cultured in a specially designed growth medium. After multiplication, one part of the culture is cryopreserved; the other part is subcultured for HLA-typing. Completely typed and morphologically sufficiently well-differentiated cell cultures are registered on a donor list (RPE cell bank) and can be provided for cell transplantations with matching HLA type in patients suffering from RPE degenerative diseases.


RESULTS
A total of 461 cell cultures have been prepared since 1996; 116 fully typed and well-differentiated cell cultures are stored in our cell bank. Since January 1998 patients who agreed to have an RPE transplantation have been registered on a waiting list. Seven transplantations have already been performed.


CONCLUSIONS
RPE cells can be stored cryopreserved in a cell bank and can be kept available for transplantation for a prolonged period of time.
Valtink
M
M
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Hamburg.
Engelmann
K
K
Krüger
R
R
Schellhorn
M L
ML
Löliger
C
C
Püschel
K
K
Richard
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005125:Eye Banks; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D014019:Tissue Donors