Abstract: The invention features retina-derived (retinal endothelial or retinal epithelial pigment) cell lines with extended life-span and capable of being implanted in the retina and of carrying a therapeutic substance to the eye and to the central nervous system. Such lines can also be used as a model for studying blood central nervous system interfaces. These lines are derived from primary retinal cultures selected from the group consisting of primary retinal endothelial cells and primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a polynucleotide containing an oncogene, which polynucleotide is optionally associated with at least one selection gene, and have the morphological characteristics and at least the expression characteristics of the surface antigens of corresponding primary cultures.

Abstract: The invention features retina-derived (retinal endothelial or retinal epithelial pigment) cell lines with extended life-span and capable of being implanted in the retina and of carrying a therapeutic substance to the eye and to the central nervous system. Such lines can also be used as a model for studying blood central nervous system interfaces. These lines are derived from primary retinal cultures selected from the group consisting of primary retinal endothelial cells and primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a polynucleotide containing an oncogene, which polynucleotide is optionally associated with at least one selection gene, and have the morphological characteristics and at least the expression characteristics of the surface antigens of corresponding primary cultures.

Abstract: The invention features immortalized retina-derived (retinal endothelial or retinal epithelial pigmentary) cell lines capable of being implanted in the retina and of carrying a therapeutic substance to the eye and to the central nervous system. Such lines can also be used as a model for studying blood central nervous system interfaces. These lines are derived from primary retinal cultures selected from the group consisting of primary retinal endothelial cells and primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a nucleic acid fragment containing at least one immortalizing fragment of a heat-sensitive viral oncogene, which nucleic fragment is optionally associated with at least one selection gene, and have the morphological characteristics and at least the expression characteristics of the surface antigens of corresponding primary cultures.

Abstract: Immortalized cell lines of retinal origin (retinal endothelial and retinal pigmentary epithelial origin) which are capable of being implanted in the retina and of conveying a substance of therapeutic interest into the eye and the central nervous system. Such lines can also serve as a model for studying the blood/central nervous system interfaces.These lines are derived from primary cultures of retinal cells selected from the group comprising the primary retinal endothelial cells and the primary retinal epithelial cells, comprise a nucleic acid fragment containing at least one immortalizing fragment of a heat-sensitive viral oncogene, which nucleic acid fragment may be associated with at least one selection gene, and exhibit the morphological characteristics and at least the surface antigen expression characteristics of the corresponding primary culture cells.