Engineering retinal progenitor cell and scrollable poly(glycerol-sebacate) composites for expansion and subretinal transplantation.

ABSTRACT: Retinal degenerations cause permanent visual loss and affect millions world-wide. Presently, a novel treatment highlights the potential of using biodegradable polymer scaffolds to induce differentiation and deliver retinal progenitor cells for cell replacement therapy. In this study, we engineered and analyzed a micro-fabricated polymer, poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) scaffold, whose useful properties include biocompatibility, elasticity, porosity, and a microtopology conducive to mouse retinal progenitor cell (mRPC) differentiation. In vitro proliferation assays revealed that PGS held up to 86,610 (+/-9993) mRPCs per square millimeter, which were retained through simulated transplantations. mRPCs adherent to PGS differentiated toward mature phenotypes as evidenced by changes in mRNA, prote

SUBMITTER: Redenti S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4109162 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature