[Subretinal transplantation of human fetal lung fibroblasts expressed ciliary neurotrophic factor gene prevent photoreceptor degeneration in RCS rats].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of subretinal transplantation of CNTF gene transfected fibroblasts for preventing photoreceptor degeneration in RCS.

METHODS

The human fetal lung fibroblasts with high level expression of CNTF were established by liposome mediated gene transfer and MTX selection. A 5 microl of cell suspension, containing 1 x 10(5) cells, was injected through pars plana of ciliary body into the subretinal space of the right eye at postnatal 4-5 weeks, the left eye was left without injection or injected with PBS as controls. The both eyes were enucleated for histopathological examinations at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 15 weeks following transplantation.

RESULTS

The level of CNTF protein (91,046.15 pg/ml) expressed in the transfected cells was determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The four of seven eyes examined by light microscopy and the ten of 14 eyes examined by electro microscopy showed rescue effect. The prolonged photoreceptor survival, reduction of apoptotic cells and debris were observed in transplanted eyes in comparison with untreated or sham-injected eyes.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the first indication that transplanted human fibroblasts with high level expression of CNTF are able to rescue photoreceptor degeneration in RCS dystrophic rat retina.