A Study Of Transplantation Of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Objective: To explore the preparation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE)cells via the improved two-step enzymatically digestive way and transplantation of RPE cells into subretinal space through a modified internal approaching excluding virectomy. Methods : The neural retina was isolated from RPE by enzyme one containing 220u/ml hyaluronidase and 0.1% trypsin, later the RPE cells was isolated from the Bruch's membrane by enzyme two containing 0.25% trypsin, then the resembled RPE cells was injected into the host's subretinal space with a special equipment after producing an artificial bleb detachment of neural retina. Results : 2 week after transplantation surgery, the transplanted RPE cells survived as a quasi-monolayer under the host's subretinal space and obvious inflammation didn't occur. 7 week after transplantation surgery, the electron microscopy showed the transplanted REP cells attached to the host's Bruch's membrane and survived in contiguity with healthy host's outer segment.Conclusions : The transplanted RPE cells can be transplanted into the host's subretinal space and survive at leastfor seven weeks through the modified internal approach.The modified internal approach hopes to provide an advisable method for the laboratory research of RPE transplantation.