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Abstract
Background
The purpose of this study was to explore neuroretinal transplantation in a large animal model of severe retinitis pigmentosa and to establish graft development, long-term survival, graft-host integration, and effects on the host retina.
Methods
Rhodopsin transgenic pigs, aged 6 months, received in one eye a fetal full-thickness neuroretinal sheet in the subretinal space by means of vitrectomy and retinotomy. Six months postoperatively, eyes were studied in the light microscope and with immunohistochemical markers. Full-field electroretinography (ERG) was performed at 4 and 6 months.
Results
Laminated grafts with well-organized photoreceptors, rod bipolar cells, and Müller cells were found in five of six eyes. Neuronal connections between graft and host retina were not seen. In the five eyes containing a graft, the number of surviving rods in the host retina was significantly higher compared with unoperated eyes. The ERG did not reveal any significant difference in b-wave amplitude between operated and control eyes, but the cone-derived response in operated eyes increased significantly from 4 to 6 months while the rod response in control eyes decreased significantly.
Conclusions
Fetal full-thickness neuroretina can be transplanted safely to an eye with severe retinal degeneration. In their major part, the transplants develop a normal laminated morphology and survive for at least 6 months. Graft and host retinal neurons do not form connections. Retinal function in the host is reduced initially by the surgical trauma, but the presence of a well-laminated graft counteracts this effect and rescues rods from degeneration.
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Acknowledgements
The authors extend their gratitude to Karin Arnér, Jill Barnes, Bruce Collins, Donna Hardin and Jeff Sommer.
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Authors and Affiliations
Department of Ophthalmology, BMC, Lund University Hospital, 22184, Lund, Sweden
Fredrik Ghosh & Karl Engelsberg
College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
Robert V. English
Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
Robert M. Petters
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Correspondence toFredrik Ghosh.
Additional information
Supported by The Foundation Fighting Blindness (grant# C-NC02-798-0078), The Faculty of Medicine, University of Lund, The Swedish Research Council, The Princess Margaretas Foundation for Blind Children, The 2nd ONCE International Award for New Technologies for the Blind.
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Ghosh, F., Engelsberg, K., English, R.V.et al. Long-term neuroretinal full-thickness transplants in a large animal model of severe retinitis pigmentosa.Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol245, 835–846 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-006-0437-9
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