title: Human RPE stem cells grown into polarized RPE monolayers on a polyester matrix are maintained after grafting into rabbit subretinal space.
abstract: Transplantation of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is being developed as a cell-replacement therapy for age-related macular degeneration. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived RPE are currently translating toward clinic. We introduce the adult human RPE stem cell (hRPESC) as an alternative RPE source. Polarized monolayers of adult hRPESC-derived RPE grown on polyester (PET) membranes had near-native characteristics. Trephined pieces of RPE monolayers on PET were transplanted subretinally in the rabbit, a large-eyed animal model. After 4 days, retinal edema was observed above the implant, detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundoscopy. At 1 week, retinal atrophy overlying the fetal or adult transplant was observed, remaining stable thereafter. Histology obtained 4 weeks after implantation confirmed a continuous polarized human RPE monolayer on PET. Taken together, the xeno-RPE survived with retained characteristics in the subretinal space. These experiments support that adult hRPESC-derived RPE are a potential source for transplantation therapies.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany.
authors: Boris V
authors: BV
authors: Stanzel
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany.
authors: Zengping
authors: Z
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany ; Mettapracharak Eye Institute, Raikhing, Nakhon Pathom 73210, Thailand.
authors: Sudawadee
authors: S
authors: Somboonthanakij
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany ; Mettapracharak Eye Institute, Raikhing, Nakhon Pathom 73210, Thailand.
authors: Warapat
authors: W
authors: Wongsawad
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany.
authors: Ralf
authors: R
authors: Brinken
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Muenster, Muenster 48149, Germany.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Eter
authors: Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Corneo
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany.
authors: Frank G
authors: FG
authors: Holz
authors: Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
authors: Sally
authors: S
authors: Temple
authors: Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
authors: Jeffrey H
authors: JH
authors: Stern
authors: Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA.
authors: Timothy A
authors: TA
authors: Blenkinsop
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010211:Papilledema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000166:cytology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters