Microfabrication of a Three-Dimensional Polycaprolactone Thin-Film Scaffold for Retinal Progenitor Cell Encapsulation
Retinal degenerations are the leading cause of irreversible visual disability among the adult population. Stem-cell-based therapy has the potential to preserve and restore vision in these conditions. In addition to replacing lost or diseased cells, transplanted cells may be able to rescue dying phot...
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Published in | Journal of biomaterials science. Polymer ed. Vol. 22; no. 4-6; pp. 443 - 456 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
Taylor & Francis Group
01.01.2011
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Retinal degenerations are the leading cause of irreversible visual disability among the adult population. Stem-cell-based therapy has the potential to preserve and restore vision in these conditions. In addition to replacing lost or diseased cells, transplanted cells may be able to
rescue dying photoreceptors of the host retina. To fully realize the potential of these cells, improved methods for cell delivery are needed. Utilizing microfabrication processes, a novel biodegradeable thin-film cell encapsulation scaffold was developed in polycaprolactone (PCL) as a possible
cell transplantation vehicle. Individual thin-film 2-2.5-D PCL layers (<10 μm thin) were structured with varying micro- and nano-geometries (protrusions, cavities, pores, particles) utilizing a modified spin-assisted solvent casting and melt templating technique. Thin-film layers
were aligned and thermally bonded to form the 3-D cell encapsulation scaffold (<30 μm thin) and these were found to promote retinal progenitor cell (RPC) retention and provide appropriate permeability. The resulting scaffolds provide a novel platform for the delivery of cells to the
outer retina that addresses critical biological constraints related to transplantation to this anatomical location. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0920-5063 1568-5624 |
DOI: | 10.1163/092050610X487738 |