Abstract
Purpose::
The translocation of an autologous full-thickness graft consisting of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch’s membrane, choriocapillaris and choroid may stabilize or improve vision in patients with exudative AMD. An animal model with pigs already showed revascularization of the graft after translocation. This study aims to investigate whether a perfusion organ culture is a suitable model to study the revascularization of this graft.
Methods::
RPE and underlying choroid were separated from the sclera in freshly enucleated porcine eyes. After damaging the recipient’s RPE and Bruch’s membrane, we translocated an autologous RPE-choroid graft to this damaged area underneath the retina. We subsequently secured the specimen in a holding ring (Minusheet©), which was placed in a two-compartment tissue culture container (Minucell & Minutissue). Continuous perfusion with normal medium and medium supplemented with growth factors was performed under respectively normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The tissue was kept up to 20 days in culture. Tissue sections were evaluated with histo- and immunohistochemical staining.
Results::
The recipient and graft showed normal organotypic features up to 20 days in perfusion culture in 12 of the 16 specimens. Tissue sections did not reveal connecting vessels between recipient and graft.
Conclusions::
As active angiogenesis with revascularization of the graft was not observed, these preliminary results suggest that this perfusion organ culture model is not suitable to study the revascularization process of the graft. As the specimen remained organotypic normal up to 20 days in organ culture, the model can be used for other purposes, such as toxicity studies.
Keywords: pathology: experimental • choroid: neovascularization • transplantation