Photoreceptors repair by autologous transplantation of retinal pigment epithelium and partial-thickness choroid graft in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether autologous retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and a partial-thickness graft can repair degenerated photoreceptors overlying a mechanically damaged Bruch's membrane.


METHODS
Twenty-one pigmented rabbits were used in the study. Abrasive debridement of the RPE was performed with a metal cannula after superior retinal bleb detachment in 20 rabbits. The graft was prepared beneath the inferior retina and was transplanted to the debridement area 14 days later. Debridement-only sites served as the control. Tissue sections were evaluated by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy at 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months after transplantation, corresponding to 21 days, 45 days, and 3 months after debridement, respectively.


RESULTS
When analyzed at 7 days after transplantation, short buds of inner segment with regularly organized outer nuclear layer were observed. The outer segments (OS) were of insufficient length to be observed, but by 1 and 3 months, a significant elongation of the OS was detected. In control retinas from 21 days (corresponding to 7 days after transplantation) to 3 months after RPE debridement, the outer nuclear layer cells were disorganized and diminished.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that autologous RPE and partial-thickness choroid graft have the capacity not only to support photoreceptor cell survival, but also to initiate early repair mechanisms, as exhibited by outer segment regeneration.
Zhang
Taoran
T
Peking University Eye Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Hu
Yuntao
Y
Li
Ying
Y
Wu
Jianguo
J
Zhao
Lin
L
Wang
Changguan
C
Liu
Yuling
Y
Yin
Zhengqin
Z
Ma
Zhizhong
Z
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D002829:Choroid / Q000637:transplantation* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003646:Debridement; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D008853:Microscopy; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000637:transplantation* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014945:Wound Healing