Successful Transportation and in vitro Expansion of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium and its Characterization; A step towards Cell-based Therapy for Age related Macular Degeneration

Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the retina that leads to deterioration in vision and eventually permanent blindness. However, degeneration can re-occur requiring more RPE cells from the patient. Therefore, considering the option of onetime harvested Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) tissue from the periphery of the patient's eye, safe transportation between clinics/hospitals, efficient in vitro RPE expansion at the destination and long-term cryopreservation for future applications, we have developed a biodegradable RPE carrying medium in 3D, made from a growth factor-free Thermoreversible gelation polymer (TGP - Mebiol gel). We have established a simple and efficient transportation module for RPE at varying climatic conditions without the need for cool preservation using a polymer hydrogel cocktail and a culture method without using any growth factors. These cells can be a potential source for transplantation in treating retinal disorders upon further confirmation of their functional characteristics.