Manipulation Of Cell Sheets With The Pneumatic Balloon Actuator

Abstract

Purpose: : To develop surgical techniques and devices for cell sheet transplantation into the subretinal space.

Methods: : Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of cynomolgus monkeys and RPE cell sheets were prepared by the expansion of picked-up iPS cell-derived RPE cell colonies. RPE cell sheets were cut in the sizes which were fitted for transplantation into the subretinal space with the laser microdissection (LMD) system (PALM Microbeam; Carl Zeiss). The pneumatic balloon actuator (PBA) was made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane and driven by pneumatic pressure. Employing the principle of PBA, a square shaped device was retracted into the cylindrical shape whose diameter of 2mm. By using the device, we tried to perform sequential motions so as to introduce and transplant RPE sheets into the subretinal space.

Results: : By using LMD system, RPE cell sheets were able to cut in any size and shape. RPE cell sheets were easily placed on the device of which surface was partly processed with hydrophilic treatment, and able to be folded and unfolded on the device. We added the flow path at the edge of the device which enabled to release RPE cell sheets by the pressure of leaking fluid.

Conclusions: : Transplantation of cell sheets into the subretinal space needs the secure and safety technique to place the sheets with keeping polarity of the RPE cells. Our result showed that the principle of PBA have the potential to satisfy the needs for cell sheet transplantation. We should improve the device to establish the secure and safety technique for RPE cell sheet transplantation.

Keywords: retinal pigment epithelium • transplantation