The cultured neuroretina: development, survival and transplantation

Abstract: In the cultured immature rat full-thickness neuroretina, massive apoptosis appears in the GCL within hours after explantation, but in the ONL cell death is low. Microglia cells become activated when the retina is kept in culture and are found in the GCL within 24 hours of culture. Embryonic porcine retina kept in culture can survive and develop according to its intrinsic timetable for at least six weeks in vitro. Short-term culture of embryonic donor tissue prior to transplantation does not seem to affect the differentiation and survival of the graft. A laminated graft can rescue rods in a large-animal model for severe retinitis pigmentosa. Adult porcine retina kept in culture displays early degenerative changes, but many of the cells can survive for several days in the culture environment. Retinas kept in culture for up to 1 day can survive transplantation. Human embryonic retinas can be kept in tissue culture for at least six weeks. They develop a partly laminated structure and several of the retina-specific neurons and glial cells.