Engineering Transplantation-suitable Retinal Pigment Epithelium Tissue Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Summary

We describe a method to engineer a retinal tissue composed of retinal pigment epithelial cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells cultured on top of human amniotic membranes and its preparation for grafting in animal models.

Abstract

Several pathological conditions of the eye affect the functionality and/or the survival of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). These include some forms of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Cell therapy is one of the most promising therapeutic strategies proposed to cure these diseases, with already encouraging preliminary results in humans. However, the method of preparation of the graft has a significant impact on its functional outcomes in vivo. Indeed, RPE cells grafted as a cell suspension are less functional than the same cells transplanted as a retinal tissue. Herein, we describe a simple and reproducible method to engineer RPE tissue and its preparation for an in vivo implantation. RPE cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells are seeded on a biological support, the human amniotic membrane (hAM). Compared to artificial scaffolds, this support has the advantage of having a basement membrane that is close to the Bruch's membrane where endogenous RPE cells are attached. However, its manipulation is not easy, and we developed several strategies for its proper culturing and preparation for grafting in vivo.

Introduction

RPE is crucial for the survival and homeostasis of the photoreceptors with which it is tightly associated¹. Several pathological conditions alter its functionality and/or survival, including RP and AMD.

RP is a group of inherited monogenic mutations that affect the functions of photoreceptors or RPE cells or both^2,3. It is estimated that mutations that affect specifically the RPE cells account for 5% of RP². AMD is another condition where the RPE layer is altered, leading ultimately to central vision loss. AMD is caused by the complex ....

Protocol

All human materials used in this protocol were used in accordance with European Union regulations. The human ES cell line used in this study was derived from a unique embryo. The couple who had donated the embryo was fully informed and gave their consent for an anonymous donation. A clinical-grade human ES cell line was derived from this embryo, banked, qualified, and properly documented by Roslin Cells (UK). hAMs were procured under sterile conditions during a cesarean section in mothers who signed an informed consent for placenta donation according to hospital guidelines (APHP, Hôpital Saint Louis).

1. Preparation of Culture Media and ....

Results

hAMs contain an epithelial layer that should be removed before the seeding of RPE cells. An enzymatic treatment of the membrane is performed with the thermolysin under shaking. In order not to not lose the polarity of the membrane (the epithelium is on one side), it is fixed on a support which composition could be different depending on the provider (Figure 1A). Check the adhesion of the membrane to its support at this step and add clips if necessary. At the .......

Discussion

We described a method for the culture of RPE cells on a biological scaffold and its preparation for implantation in animal models. One of the critical steps of the protocol is the maintenance of the orientation of the hAM all along the procedure until its inclusion into gelatin. Indeed, the native epithelium of the membrane is removed and its basement membrane becomes exposed⁹. The RPE cells have to be seeded on top of this basement membrane. Upon preparation for gelatin embedding, it is crucial t.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Sterile biosafety cabinet	TechGen International	Not applicable
Liquid waste disposal system for aspiration	Vacuubrand	BVC 21
CO2-controlled +37 °C cell incubator	Thermo Electron Corporation	BVC 21 NT
200 µL pipette: P200	Gilson	F144565
1 mL pipette: P1000	Gilson	F144566
Pipet aid	Drummond	75001
+4 °C refrigerator	Liebherr	Not applicable
Vibratome	Leica	VT1000S
Fine scissors	WPI	501758
Forceps (x2)	WPI	555227F
Water bath	Grant subaqua pro	SUB6
Precision balance	Sartorius	CP225D
Centrifuge	Eppendorff	5804
Microscope	Olympus	SC30
Horizontal Rocking Shaker	IKA-WERKE	IKA MTS 214D
Vortex	VWR	LAB DANCER S40
Disposable Scalpel	WPI	500351
plastic paraffin film	VWR	PM992
0.200 µm single use syringe filter	SARTORIUS	16532
Syringe without needle 50 mL	Dutscher	50012
Bottles 250 mL	Dutscher	28024
15 mL sterile Falcon tubes	Dutscher	352097
50 mL sterile Falcon tubes	Dutscher	352098
culture insert	Scaffdex	C00001N
60 mm cell culture disches: B6	Dutscher	353004
12 well cell culture plate	Corning	3512
6-well culture plates	Corning	3506
Razor blades	Ted Pella, Inc	121-9
Cyanoacrylate glue	Castorama	3178040670105
PBS 1x (500 mL)	Sigma	D8537
Thermolysine	Roche	5339880001
DMEM, high glucose, GlutaMAX	Invitrogen	61965-026
KSR CTS (KnockOut SR XenoFree CTS)	Invitrogen	12618-013
MEM-NEAA (100x)	Invitrogen	11140-035
b-mercaptoethanol (50 mM)	Invitrogen	31350-010
Penicillin/Streptomycin	Invitrogen	15140122
CO2-independent medium	GIBCO	18045-054
Gelatin	MERCK	104078
human amniotic membrane	Tissue bank St Louis hospital (Paris, France)	Not applicable