Transplanted retinal pigment epithelium modifies the retinal degeneration in the RCS rat

  • R. Lopez
  • , P. Gouras
  • , H. Kjeldbye
  • , B. Sullivan
  • , V. Reppucci
  • , M. Brttis
  • , F. Wapner
  • , E. Goluboff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

199 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transplantation of dissociated retinal epithelial cells obtained from the retinas of normal, congenic pigmented strain of rats to Bruch's membrane and the subretinal space of dystrophic rats from the Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) strain can prevent photoreceptor cell degeneration in this retina for at least 4 months after transplantation. Host and transplant cells form close apposition with one another but can be distinguished by the presence of both phagosomes and melanin granules in the transplant and the absence of these inclusions in the host retinal epithelium. Transplanted cells show excessive amounts of phagosomal material within 48 hr after transplantation, implying that restoration of phagocytosis is responsible for the photoreceptor survival.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)586-588
Number of pages3
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume30
Issue number3
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

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