[A study on transplantation of rat photoreceptor cell layer]

To study the relationship between photoreceptors and other layers of the retina in the aspects of anatomical structure, physiology, pathology, etc.

RCS rats were used as host animals, and the pure cone and rod layer of the donor retina was prepared from Wistar rat and was transplanted under the host retina where the cones and rods were degenerated.

After 2 weeks of transplantation, the retinas of the host rats were reattached, and the transplanted cells were survival. The transplanted cells were in the subretinal space between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the inner unclear layer, and they had the staining characteristics similar to that of the normal control photoreceptors.

In the animal model of photoreceptor cell layer transplantation, the transplanted cells possess normal anatomical location and are connected with RPE and inner nuclear layer. The results provide a new route to investigate the re-establishment of anatomical association with the optic nerve and the physiological activity of the nerve.