3D vascularized eye tissue models age-related macular degeneration

We engineered a 3D outer-blood-retina-barrier (3D-oBRB) with a fully polarized retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) monolayer on top of a Bruch's membrane and a fenestrated choriocapillaris network. This 3D-oBRB tissue faithfully recapitulates RPE- choriocapillaris interactions, dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) phenotypes (including sub-RPE drusen deposits and choriocapillaris degeneration) and the wet AMD phenotype of choriocapillaris neovascularization.

Automated summary

We created a 3D outer-blood-retina-barrier (3D-oBRB) that consists of a polarized retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) monolayer, a Bruch's membrane, and a fenestrated choriocapillaris network. This 3D-oBRB model faithfully replicates RPE-choriocapillaris interactions, dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) phenotypes such as sub-RPE drusen deposits and choriocapillaris degeneration, as well as the wet AMD phenotype of choriocapillaris neovascularization.