Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the retina diseases in which retinal pigment epithelium cells are degraded and lead to blindness. Available treatments only slow down the progression of it. In this study, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiated into retinal pigment epithelium cells were cultured on a polycaprolactone scaffold.
Methods: The optimization of the diameter of the produced scaffolds by electrospinning method was done using the fuzzy method for the first time. To improve cell adhesion and proliferation, related parameters to alkaline hydrolysis method were optimized and hydrophobic surface of scaffold was modified. After in vitro analysis, cells were cultured on different groups of scaffolds. In vivo analyses were done and cells culture on scaffolds observed.
Results: The optimal parameters for the scaffold based on the fuzzy model were 18.1 kV for voltage, 0.07 g / ml for solution concentration and 115 nm for scaffold diameter, respectively. The immersion time of the scaffold in alkaline solution and concentration of solution were measured 97 min and 3.7 M, respectively. The treated scaffold had a higher degradation rate and water adsorption. MTT-Assay results showed that scaffolds with modified surfaces had a higher amount of cell viability and proliferation after 7 days. SEM image results confirmed this finding after almost two months. Additionally, the results of ICC test showed that after passing this time, cells kept their RPE and epithelium.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the hydrolyzed scaffold is a suitable substrate for cell proliferation and can be a good option for AMD treatment.