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Methods of Culturing Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Cells

Technology Benefits

Highly efficient and rapid conversion of human embryonic stem cells to retinal tissue cellsA potentially unlimited source of RPE for transplant therapy from human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells

Technology Application

Cellular therapy for degenerative retinal diseasesDegenerative retinal disease research

Detailed Technology Description

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have developed novel methods of producing high-quality RPE cells with very high yields. Additionally, methods of producing RPE cells in xeno-free conditions have been developed to enable their use in therapeutic applications. The novel methods encompass the use of any pluripotent cell, including stem cells. Pluripotent cells are ideal for their ability to self-renew and proliferate while remaining in an undifferentiated state. Pluripotent cells can then be induced to differentiate into specialized cell types, including RPE cells. Cells derived through the use of these methods may be applied in any research or therapeutic use, including medical and veterinary uses.

Application No.

9850463

Others

Background

The retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) is a layer of cells in the eye. The RPE plays many critical roles in maintaining vision including isolating the tissues of the eye from the general circulatory system, preserving proper ionic environment, and protecting the retina from excess light, among others. Various conditions may result in damage and dysfunction of the RPE cells, such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in people 60 years and older, but there are no therapies available that effectively cure or reverse the condition. However, it has been demonstrated that transplantation of healthy RPE cells to damaged or destroyed regions can aid in restoring vision in both animals and humans. In order to maximize the therapeutic potential of transplantation, there is a need for methods capable of producing large supplies of RPE cells.

Additional Technologies by these Inventors

• Rapid Generation of Retinal Pigmented Epithelium for Retinal Disease Therapy

Tech ID/UC Case

23935/2011-682-0

Related Cases

2011-682-0

*Abstract

Novel methods of producing high-quality RPE cells with very high yields.

*IP Issue Date

Dec 26, 2017

*Principal Investigator

Name: David Hinton

Department:

Name: Dennis Clegg

Department:

Name: Lisa Conti

Department:

Name: Sherry Hikita

Department:

Name: Qirui Hu

Department:

Name: Lincoln Johnson

Department:

Name: Michelle Maloney

Department:

Name: Liane Miller

Department:

Name: Chelsea Presbrey

Department:

Name: Marlene Tsie

Department:

Country/Region

USA