title: [Structure of a cell bank for transplantation of HLA-typed, cryopreserved human adult retinal pigment epithelial cells].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Augenklinik, Hamburg.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valtink
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Engelmann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krüger
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schellhorn
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Löliger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Püschel
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Richard
mesh_terms: 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