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Human neural retinal transplantation
M S Humayun1, E de Juan, M del Cerro
1Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|September 1, 2000
Summary
Neural retinal transplantation in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was safe. While vision did not improve long-term, the graft tissue was well-tolerated, showing promise for future retinal transplantation research.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Transplantation Biology
Background:
- Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) cause severe vision loss.
- Current treatments for RP and AMD are limited, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
- Neural retinal transplantation offers a potential strategy for vision restoration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and feasibility of human fetal neural retinal transplantation into the subretinal space.
- To evaluate graft acceptance and potential visual function improvement in patients with RP and AMD.
- To investigate the surgical procedure for subretinal neural retinal tissue transplantation.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving nine patients (eight with RP, one with AMD) with bare light perception vision.
- Subretinal transplantation of human fetal retinal microaggregate suspensions without systemic immunosuppression.
- Comprehensive pre- and postoperative evaluations including visual function tests, fundus examinations, angiography, macular perimetry, and electroretinograms (ERGs).
Main Results:
- Subretinal transplantation was safely performed in all nine subjects.
- Three RP patients showed transient improvements in light sensitivity, which did not persist.
- No significant changes in ERG or macular perimetry were observed; no adverse events like detachment or inflammation occurred.
Conclusions:
- Human fetal neural retinal transplantation into the subretinal space is a safe procedure.
- The transplanted retinal tissue demonstrated high tolerance without significant adverse effects.
- While not demonstrating sustained visual improvement, the study supports further research in retinal transplantation for vision restoration.