Analysis of the results of transplantation of the retinal pigment epithelium in the experiment

BACKGROUND: A promising method for treating the pathology of the retinal pigment epithelium in age-related macular degeneration is cell replacement therapy. AIM: The aim of the study was to analyze the results of cell transplantation in the form of a cell suspension into the subretinal space at various times. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material of the study was 20 rabbits (40 eyes) of the New Zealand albino breed. A month after the modeling of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy and retinal degeneration, rabbits underwent subretinal transplantation of induced retinal pigment epithelium in the form of a cell suspension. Optical coherence tomography and autofluorescence studies were conducted in a period of up to 8 months. Enucleated eyes of animals were subjected to morphological study. RESULTS: When observing rabbits with a previously created model of atrophy in the long term, it was found that the cells of the transplanted retinal pigment epithelium remained viable for the entire period. There were no inflammatory reactions from the eyeball, clouding of the optical media, pathological changes in the structure of the retina. CONCLUSION: Thus, with the introduction of a suspension of induced retinal pigment epithelium cells with atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, the injected cells retain their viability for up to 8 months.