[Autologous subretinal transplantation of cultivated porcine iris pigment epithelial cells (IPE)].
BACKGROUND
Subretina transplantation of epithelium may be a therapeutic option for surgical treatment of age-related macular degeration (AMD). Various experimental data have demonstrated that homologous transplantation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) can prevent photoreceptor deterioration. However, most investigators experienced immunogenic graft rejection when using homologous pigmented cells for grafting. Autologous cells were soon considered as an alternative for subretinal grafting. Particularly iris pigment epithelium (IPE) appeared suitable to replace homologous RPE for it embryogenetic similarity and its simple availability. Recent studies have shown, that IPE is capable of taking over functions of RPE in maintaining retinal metabolism. the purpose of this study was to evaluate if autologous IPE cells would survive when being transplanted subretinally. In addition, immunogenic reponses to the presence of "foreign" iris pigment cells needed to be excluded.


METHODS
Iris tissue was obtained by peripheral iridectomy in the anesthetized pig. Sheets of pigment iris epithelium were separated from the specimens and transferred into tissue culture. After the cells had been grown to confluency, cell suspensions were injected into the subretinal space of the donor animal's fellow eye. After 4 weeks, the grafted eye was enucleated and examined histologically..


RESULTS
The histological exam revealed that the graft cells had survived in the subretinal space. No evidence of immunogenic rejection was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Autologous IPE-cells can survive in the host's sub-retinal space without creating inflammatory reactions. Transplanted IPE appears to interact with photoreceptor outer segments.
Steinhorst
U H
UH
Dr.-Horst-Schmidt-Kliniken, Augenklinik  Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse 100, 65199 Wiesbaden
Amdreae
A
A
Sistani
F
F
Waldmann
K H
KH
Kastern
T
T
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006084:Graft Rejection; D007498:Iris / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000637:transplantation*; D012160:Retina / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation; D013552:Swine; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014821:Vitrectomy