Nanofibrous carrier for transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial cells

Summary The most common retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa belong to serious eye diseases that cause dominant number of cases of impaired vision or even legal blindness. Because there is no treatment method to stop progression of these diseases or even treat them, it is supposable that cell therapy based on replacement of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells can serve as an effective treatment for AMD and other degenerative diseases. The study was aimed at development of a new delivery technique for transplantation of RPE cells using two complementary delivery devices: a membraneous cell carrier and an injector as trans-scleral implantation instrument. The design of the suggested nanofibrous carrier with a peripheral frame was optimized to provide a minimal diffusion barrier for the flow of nutrients in the subretinal space and at the same time to resist surgical handling. An implantation instrument together with the cell carrier ensured a safe transfer of an organized RPE cell monolayer into the subretinal space. Different designs of the carrier seeded with cultured RPE cells and the implantation instrument was assessed in both ex vivo and in vivo animal experiments.