Alterations in the normal structure or functions of retinal cells after 8 days in culture. RPE cells attached to all the pigment epithelium (RPE) can result in a number of ocular polymers studied after 8 h in culture. After 8 h, 80.2 ฯฎ 9.5% diseases. Implantation of RPE cells cultured on thin, biode-and 82.3 ฯฎ 7.9% of the plated cells were attached to substrates gradable polymer films may provide a means of transplant-of high MW 50:50 PLGA and 75:25 PLGA, respectively. The ing an organized sheet of RPE cells with distinct apical/basal cells proliferated on all substrates, and there was about a characteristics for the restoration of normal RPE function.
threefold increase in cell number over the 8-day culture pe-We have investigated the interactions of human RPE cells riod on all the polymers studied. Immunohistochemistry with different biodegradable polymer films to assess their after 8 days in culture demonstrated RPE cells labeled with suitability as substrates for RPE culture. Four biodegradable a distinct reaction product for cytokeratin in the cell cytopolymers were used: low molecular weight (MW) 50:50 po-plasm. All the polymers studied were suitable for RPE cully(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA); high MW 50:50 PLGA; ture; however, high MW 50:50 PLGA and 75:25 PLGA proved 75:25 PLGA; and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA). Polymer film to be the best in terms of manufacturing properties, cell substrates were manufactured using a solvent casting tech-attachment, and proliferation. These polymers can provide nique. Human fetal RPE cells (10-16 weeks gestational) were a suitable substrate for RPE cell culture and hold promise plated on the polymer substrates and the cultures assessed for the subretinal implantation of organized sheets of RPE with respect to cell attachment and proliferation. Histologi-cells.