1Kunze S., 2Schmidbauer M., 3Elsässer H. P., 2Richter H. A., 1Hesse L.

1Medical Centre of Ophthalmology, 3Institute of Cytobiology and Cytopathology, Philipps University Marburg; 2Institute of Pathology. University Clinics of the RWTH Aachen

Background: Objective of the project is the development of polymer patches, which can be fixed on the retina by invading retinal glia cells (Mueller cells).
Methods: Films of biocompatible silicone were tested, being 100-300 µm thin and containing pores of 40-230 µm in diameter. The foamsurfaces were differently charged (anionic and cationic) or coated. They were incubated with U373 astroglia cells (Marburg), Mueller cells obtained from domestic pigs and L929 fibroblast cells (Aachen). Cultures were grown from 24h up to fourteen days. Attachment and growth of the cultured cells were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively by fluorescence microscopy.
Results: Astroglia cells as well as Mueller cells grow on silicone foams. Density and homogeneity of cell attachment depend on the geometry and the surface modification of the foam. A pore diameter of 100-230 µm and a low anionic charge stimulate cell attachment. Cationic modified silicone patches revealed a low cell density and homogeneity.
Conclusion: Pore size and surface modifications induce retinal glial cells to attach on silicone foams. Therefore, the principal requirement for durable fixation of silicone patches on the retina by invading retinal glia cells is given.
(Acknowledgement: This work is supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG He 3059 and Ri 947.)

Copyright © Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft, 2001. All rights reserved.

Last updated: 

Webdesign: SPALLEK.COM