Change of morphological and functional characteristics of retinal pigment epithelium cells during cultivation of retinal pigment epithelium-choroid perfusion tissue culture.

Aims: To evaluate the changes of morphological and functional characteristics of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid perfusion culture during cultivation.

Methods: PorcineRPE-choroid tissue was cultivated in a perfusion tissue culture system. After the indicated times, histology, immunolocalization of collagen IV and von Willebrand factor, RPE cell viability with calcein-AM, TUNEL assay and occludin immunolocalization of RPE cells were examined.