CRYOPRECIPITATE : AN AUTOLOGOUS SUBSTRATE FOR HUMAN FETAL RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM

PURPOSE. To harvest thin membranes from cryoprecipitates isolated from human blood donors and utilize them as substrates for the adhesion of human fetal retinal pigment epithelial (HFRPE) cells. METHODS. Frozen human cryoprecipitates from anonymous blood donors were obtained from the blood bank. Thin cryo-membranes were harvested by their mixture with riboflavin-5-phosphate (R5P) and overnight exposure to ultra-violet light. Sheets of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were isolated from fetal eyes at 17–22 weeks gestational age. The sheets were subsequently attached to cryo-membranes. The morphology of the cells was examined with phase contrast and electron microscope. Cell proliferation was evaluated by their incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Functional viability was assessed by rod outer segment (ROS) phagocytosis. RESULTS. Thin membrane films were made from isolated human cryoprecipitates. Isolated sheets of pure HFRPE cells were attached to the membranes. The cells maintained their cuboi...