Optimisation of polymer scaffolds for retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a variety of copolymers as suitable scaffolds to facilitate retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantation.


METHODS
Five blends of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) with poly(d,l-lactic-glycolic acid) (PLGA) were manufactured by a solid-liquid phase separation technique. The blends were 10:90, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 90:10 (PLLA:PLGA). All blend ratios were validated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Samples of polymer blends were coated with laminin. Coated and uncoated blends were seeded with a human RPE cell line. Cell attachment, viability and retention of phenotype were assessed.


RESULTS
As the lactide unit content increased pore size generally became smaller. The 25:75 PLLA:PLGA blend was the most porous (44%) and thinnest (134 μm) scaffold produced. ARPE-19 cells retained an appropriate phenotype with minimal cell death for up to 4 weeks in vitro. Cell density was maintained on only one of the fabricated ratios (25% PLLA:75% PLGA). A consistent decrease in apoptotic cell death with time was observed on coated samples of this blend. A decrease in polymer thickness concomitant with an increase in porosity characteristic of degradation was observed with all polymer blends.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that a 25:75 copolymer blend of PLLA:PLGA is a potentially useful scaffold for ocular cell transplantation.
Thomson
Heather A J
HA
Clinical Neurosciences Division, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
Treharne
Andrew J
AJ
Walker
Paul
P
Grossel
Martin C
MC
Lotery
Andrew J
AJ
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid