Frozen Preservation Of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) Cells, Expression Of PCNA And Bcl-2 Of RPE And Inhibition Of Cell Growth By Antisense PCNA Oligodeoxynucleotides

Purpose:The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a key component in maintaining the integrity of the retinal structure and function. The biological activity of RPE cells is significantly linked to the development and clinical treatment of degenerative disorders, e.g., age-related macular degeneration, and, on the other hand, proliferative disorders, e.g., proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) following rhegmentogenous retinal detachment. The present study aimed at: (1) to establish a method of cryopreservation of human RPE and cell culture from thawing of frozen cells in order to provide cell banks to be used for cell transplantation in corresponding diseases; (2) to observe the growth features of cultured humanRPE and expression of proliferative cell nucleous antigen (PCNA) and bcl-2 in order to further understanding the cell growth behavior and to find indicators for overgrowth of RPE in the eyes with high risk of PVR; (3) to assess the effects of antisense PCNA and antisense bcl-2 oligodeoxynucleotides on the growth of RPE in order to determine the possibility of the usage of it clinically.