Chapter 16 Retinal transplants into adult eyes affected by phototoxic retinopathy

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses retinal transplants into adult eyes affected by phototoxic retinopathy. This chapter also discusses : (1) whether, and to what extent, the adult retina would support the growth and differentiation of the immature retina beyond the implantation point; (2) whether the photically damaged host retina would provide vascularization sufficient to allow extended growth of the transplant; (3) to what extent the transplant would integrate with the host neural retina; and (4) whether eyes with extensively damaged retinas would also be able to incorporate transplanted cells and to support their growth. The results indicate that successful retinal transplantation is feasible into the extensively damaged adult eye, and that to some extent, the procedure permits the repopulation of neuroretinal cells. There are some similarities and fundamental differences between the experimental designs used and the results described in the present report. The main similarity is the ability for the transplanted retina to survive, grow and differentiate into the adult host eye, while the most significant difference is that in the present study, the host's eyes are not normal, rather suffer from extensive neural and vascular damage to retina and choroid. However, the use of labeled, dissociated cells, in addition to tissue strips, added a technical advantage to the experimental protocol.