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. CONCLUSION: RPE cells can be stored cryopreserved in a cell bank and can be kept available for transplantation for a prolonged period of time.
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. CONCLUSION: RPE cells can be stored cryopreserved in a cell bank and can be kept available for transplantation for a prolonged period of time.
Authors: Sanja Bojic; Alex Murray; Roman Bauer; João Pedro de Magalhães; Barry L Bentley; Ralf Spindler; Piotr Pawlik; José L Cordeiro Journal: BMC Biol Date: 2021-03-24 Impact factor: 7.431