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Alginate as a new biomaterial for the growth of porcine retinal pigment epithelium
Author(s) -
Eurell Thomas E.,
Brown Daniel R.,
Gerding Paul A.,
Hamor Ralph E.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
veterinary ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1463-5224
pISSN - 1463-5216
DOI - 10.1046/j.1463-5224.2003.00300.x
Subject(s) - cell culture , retinal pigment epithelium , biology , matrix (chemical analysis) , microbiology and biotechnology , tissue culture , in vitro , pigment , epithelium , retinal , anatomy , chemistry , biochemistry , genetics , organic chemistry , chromatography
Abstract Objective Determine the effect of a 3‐dimensional alginate matrix on the growth and differentiation of cells isolated from porcine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Procedures Porcine RPE cells were harvested from enucleated eyecups, isolated by differential gravity sedimentation and cultured in either alginate alone (Group 1) or on plastic tissue culture plates followed by alginate (Group 2). Group 1 cells were cultured in alginate to evaluate the efficacy of the matrix as a culture medium. Group 2 cells were initially cultured on plastic to induce dedifferentiation. The cells were then harvested, suspended in alginate beads, and incubated for a second culture period to determine if the induced dedifferentiation was reversible. Results The number of Group 1 cells was significantly greater ( P ≤ 0.01) at the end of the culture period. The amount of pigment and cell morphology of Group 1 cells at the end of the culture period was similar to that seen at initial cell isolation. The initial culture of Group 2 cells on plastic showed characteristic features of dedifferentiation marked by the loss of pigment and alterations in microscopic appearance. Secondary culture of dedifferentiated Group 2 cells in alginate beads resulted in a return to pigmentation and characteristic morphology for a majority of the cultured cells. Conclusions Porcine RPE cells can be propagated in alginate culture with a significant increase in cell numbers while maintaining normal morphology. Under the conditions described in the present study, the dedifferentiation of porcine RPE induced by standard in vitro culture methods is reversible.