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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Subretinal Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Tissue in a Feline Large Animal Model

Subretinal Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Tissue in a Feline Large Animal Model

Published on: August 5, 2021

Cell replacement and visual restoration by retinal sheet transplants.

Magdalene J Seiler¹, Robert B Aramant

¹Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Reeve-Irvine Research Center, Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California at Irvine, 1101 Gross Hall, 845 Health Science Rd., Irvine, CA 92697-4265, USA. mseiler@uci.edu

Progress in Retinal and Eye Research

|July 10, 2012

Summary

Sheet transplants of fetal retinal cells and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) successfully restored vision in animal models and human patients with retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This approach shows potential for cell replacement therapy.

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Area of Science:

Ophthalmology and Regenerative Medicine
Cellular Biology and Neuroscience

Background:

Millions suffer from retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), leading to vision loss.
Current treatments often focus on preserving existing cells, not replacing lost ones.
Restoring vision requires new cells to integrate and form functional connections within the host retina.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of subretinal transplantation of fetal-derived retinal progenitor cells with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) for retinal repair.
To investigate the potential for neural retinal cell replacement and functional restoration in degenerating retinas.
To establish a model for understanding cell replacement therapies for retinal diseases.

Main Methods:

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Subretinal transplantation of freshly dissected sheets of fetal-derived retinal progenitor cells and RPE.

Assessment of visual responses in animal models of retinal degeneration, focusing on the superior colliculus (SC).

Histological analysis to trace transplant integration and synaptic connections with host retinal cells.

Phase II clinical trial in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and ARMD to evaluate visual acuity improvements.

Main Results:

Sheet transplants restored lost visual responses in animal models, increasing light responsiveness.
Neural cells from the transplant formed synaptic connections with the host retina, evidenced by improved visual function.
Phase II trials showed improved visual acuity in RP and ARMD patients following transplantation.

Conclusions:

Retinal progenitor sheet transplantation is a viable model for neural retinal cell replacement and functional restoration.
This method demonstrates successful integration and synaptic connection, leading to improved visual function.
While fetal tissue is limited, this approach provides a foundation for developing future cell replacement therapies, including those using embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived cells.