Developing in vitro models of the sub-retinal microenvironment

Physiologically-relevant in vitro models of retinal disease are necessary for understanding the complex interactions of oxidative stress, molecular signaling and physical contact between cells and their local environment. In this study, microfluidic devices and microcontact printing are used to mimic in vivo conditions of the sub-retinal microenvironment and the effects of oxidative stress and atrophy on protein expression by retinal pigment epithelial cells. The results demonstrate that differences in RNA and protein expression due to oxidative stress and loss of function can be observed from cells within microfluidic devices and in micropatterned patches. These findings indicate that nano- and microstructured materials can be used to interrogate normal and malignant retinal cell growth.