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Amniotic membrane as support for human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell growth

  1. Carmen Capeáns1,2,
  2. Antonio Piñeiro2,*,
  3. María Pardo2,
  4. Catalina Sueiro-López3,
  5. María José Blanco1,
  6. Fernando Domínguez4,
  7. Manuel Sánchez-Salorio2

Article first published online: 29 MAY 2003

DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2003.00076.x

Issue

Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica

Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica

Volume 81, Issue 3, pages 271–277, June 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Capeáns, C., Piñeiro, A., Pardo, M., Sueiro-López, C., Blanco, M. J., Domínguez, F. and Sánchez-Salorio, M. (2003), Amniotic membrane as support for human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell growth. Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, 81: 271–277. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2003.00076.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Servicio de Oftalmología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

  2. 2

    Instituto Gallego de Oftalmología, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

  3. 3

    Departamento de Biología Fundamental, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

  4. 4

    Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

*Dr Antonio Piñeiro Ces Instituto Gallego de Oftalmologia Hospital de Conxo Rúa Ramón Baltar s/n 15706 Santiago de Compostela Spain Tel: + 34 981 534 501 Fax: + 34 981 531 627 Email: mjbtapc@corevia.com

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 29 MAY 2003
  2. Article first published online: 29 MAY 2003
  3. Received on 11 September, 2002. Accepted on 13 February, 2003.

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Keywords:

  • amniotic membrane;
  • cell culture;
  • retinal pigment epithelium;
  • retinal transplantation

Abstract.

Purpose:  The aim of this work was to culture human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) cells over human amniotic membrane (hAM). Human AM was studied for its viability as an adequate support for transplantation of an hRPE cell monolayer with preserved cell polarity to the subretinal space.

Methods:  Human AM was obtained from pregnant women during caesarean section. The hAM was sectioned and the pieces were fixed to culture dishes. Human RPE cells were cultured from adult corneal donors and were seeded over hAM. Phase-contrast photographs were obtained. Selected specimens were processed by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM).

Results:  The attachment and growth of hRPE cells over hAM was observed. Human RPE cells constituted tight colonies that maintained epithelial phenotype. Using TEM, we identified a monolayer of hRPE cells, with cuboidal to spheroidal morphology. These cells showed integration with the substrate and cell−cell contacts were detected.

Conclusion:  Amniotic membrane may be a suitable substrate for hRPE growth. Further studies are required in order to determine the viability of hRPE on hAM in the subretinal space.

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