First steps for the development of silk fibroin-based 3D biohybrid retina for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

ABSTRACT

Age-related macular degeneration is an incurable chronic neurodegenerative disease, causing progressive loss of the central vision and even blindness. Up-to-date therapeutic approaches can only slow down he progression of the disease. OBJECTIVE: Feasibility study for a multilayered, silk fibroin-based, 3D biohybrid retina. APPROACH: Fabrication of silk fibroin-based biofilms; culture of different types of cells retinal pigment epithelium, retinal neurons, Müller and mesenchymal stem cells ; creation of a layered structure glued with silk fibroin hydrogel. MAIN RESULTS: In vitro evidence for the feasibility of layered 3D biohybrid retinas; primary culture neurons grow and develop neurites on silk fibroin biofilms, either alone or in presence of other cells cultivated on the same biomaterial; cell organization and cellular phenotypes are maintained in vitro for the seven days of the experiment. SIGNIFICANCE: 3D biohybrid retina can be built using silk silkworm fibroin films and hydrogels to be used in cell replacement therapy for AMD and similar retinal neurodegenerative diseases.