Survival of an HLA-mismatched, bioengineered RPE implant in dry age-related macular degeneration.

ABSTRACT: Cell-based therapies face challenges, including poor cell survival, immune rejection, and integration into pathologic tissue. We conducted an open-label phase 1/2a clinical trial to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of a subretinal implant consisting of a polarized monolayer of allogeneic human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells in subjects with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration. Postmortem histology from one subject with very advanced disease shows the presence of donor RPE cells 2 years after implantation by immunoreactivity for RPE65 and donor-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. Markers of RPE cell polarity and phagocytosis suggest donor RPE function. Further histologic examination d

SUBMITTER: Kashani AH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9039755 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature