Fig. 1: Characterization of CMK6-derived ESC-RPE cells and the transplantation without immunosuppressive drugs.
From: Graft survival of major histocompatibility complex deficient stem cell-derived retinal cells
a Experimental design for the transplantation of RPE cells established from monkey CMK6-derived ESCs. Totally 3 normal adult monkeys (Cyn51, HM-20, HM-21) were transplanted. b RPE cells (lower panel) differentiated from CMK6-derived ESCs (upper panel) showed normal appearance with hexagonal morphology and pigmentation. Scale bars, upper: 500 μm, lower: 100 μm. c Expressions of MHC class I and class II molecules in CMK6-derived mESC-RPE. mESC-RPE cells were stimulated with recombinant IFN-γ (100 ng/mL) for 48 h. CMK6-derived mESC-RPE cells did not express MHC class II. d Schema of vitrectomy for mESC (CMK6)-RPE cell sheet transplantation into the subretinal space of Cyn51 monkey. e Cyn51 who received mESC (CMK6)-RPE cell sheet did not show rejection at least for 2 years. Pigmented sheet (white arrows) was detected in color fundus (left) and OCT (right) without symptoms of immune rejection at all observation time points (1, 2, 12, and 24 months). At 24 months, sheet integration with the host RPE was observed by OCT.
