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Abstract #3598 Published in IGR 4-2
Iris pigment epithelial cells transplanted into the vitreous accumulate at the optic nerve head
Jordan JF; Semkova I; Kociok N; Welsandt GR; Krieglstein GK; Schraermeyer UGraefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2002; 240: 403-407
BACKGROUND: Iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells have mainly been investigated in the past for their proposed potential to rescue or even replace degenerated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells after subretinal transplantation in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). More recent reports have characterized the IPE cell as a potent source of trophic factors and cytokines. In this study, the authors investigated the spatial distribution of IPE cells that were injected into the vitreous instead of being injected subretinally. METHODS: IPE cells from Long-Evans rats were isolated and injected into the vitreous cavity of Wistar rats without preculturing. Free melanin granules were injected into the vitreous in the same manner. After a period of two months, eyes were prepared for histological analysis. Localization of the injected IPE cells was defined by topographical mapping of the analyzed sections. RESULTS: PVR was not observed in any eye. In eight of ten injected eyes, IPE cells had accumulated in the prepapillary region. In two of ten eyes, no IPE cells could be detected. The injected melanin granules also accumulated at the optic nerve head, indicating that this is most likely a passive process. In sections of the papillary region containing retinal vessels, the IPE cells seemed to have migrated into the superficial tissue of the optic nerve head. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate a way to access the optic nerve head easily and securely without the danger of damaging its fragile structure. This could have important implications for new therapeutic strategies in ocular neurodegenerative diseases like glaucoma. New prospects in gene therapy will require further characterization of the potential of the IPE cell to produce neuroprotective trophic factors at the optic nerve head.
Dr. J.F. Jordan, University Eye Clinic, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9, 50931 Cologne, Germany. j.jordan@uni-koeln.de
Classification:
11.16 Vehicles, delivery systems, pharmacokinetics, formulation (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
