RPE and neuronal differentiation of allotransplantated porcine ciliary epithelium-derived cells.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Cell replacement has the potential to be applied as a therapeutic strategy in retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) for which no adequate pharmacological and surgical treatments are currently available. Although controversial, the use of ciliary epithelium (CE)-derived cells is supported by evidence showing their differentiation into retinal phenotypes. This study examines the differentiation potential of porcine CE-derived cells in vitro and their survival, migration, morphological characteristics, and immunohistochemical phenotype in vivo, upon transplantation into the subretinal space of normal pigs.

Methods

Cells were isolated from the CE of postnatal pigs and were grown in a suspension sphere cultur

SUBMITTER: Guduric-Fuchs J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3198501 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature