METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR GROWING CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL AND RELATED CELLS ON BIOPOLYMERS AND CREATION OF ARTIFICAL CORNEAL TRANSPLANTS

摘要

This invention discloses methods to attach and grow a monolayer of culturedhuman corneal endothelial cells onto the endothelial side of the stromasynthesized from biopolymer to generate a more bio-equivalent artificialcornea. The approaches will include the use of attachment and growthpromotingagents such as fibronectin, laminin, RGDS, collagen type IV, bFGF conjugatedwith polycarbophil, and EGF conjugated with polycarbophil. The patent alsodescribes a method to create a self-sustaining polymer containing adhesivemolecules and growth factors to support the attachment and proliferation ofcultured human corneal endothelial cells for corneal transplantation either asa half ~thickness device or full-thickness button replacement. An approach forthe implantation of cultured retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells into thesub-retinal space for treatment of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) isdisclosed in this invention. This method will enable the delivery of thetransplanted RPE in a sheet of monolayer cells and will be better suited toperform their physiological function.