BACKGROUND Primary RPE cells could be a reliable model for representing in vivo status of RPE compared with cell lines. We present a protocol for in vitro isolation and culture of primary RPE cells from C57BL mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used C57BL mice ages 7 days to 4 months. The RPE layer was separated from the neural retina layer by digestion with 2% Dispase for 45 min and scraped off from...

PURPOSE To determine whether cultured retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells implanted in the subconjunctival space induce an immune response against autoantigens and whether an active downregulation is achieved by RPE grafts placed in the anterior chamber and within the subretinal space. METHODS Cultured RPE cells from eyes of newborn C57BL/6 mice were implanted in the subconjunctival space,...

Purpose TO examine the ability of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to superantigen to T lymphoc e&t2 resent bacterial es. Methods RPE cells, er interferon gamma (INFg) treated or untreated, were coincubated with Jurkat T-cells, staphylococcal enterotoxin E (SEE), and PMA for 24 hours. Supernatants were collected for interleukin-2 (IL-2) assay. Raji B-calls were assayed for comparison. Bin...

PURPOSE Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) autologous grafts can be readily derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. It is critical to stringently characterize iPS-RPE using standardized and quantifiable methods to be confident that they are safe and adequate replacements for diseased RPE before utilizing them in clinical settings. One important and required function is that the iPS-RPE...

PURPOSE To show that fish oil-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, delivered to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) by circulating low-density lipoproteins (LDL), enhance already considerable RPE lysosomal acid lipase activity, providing for more efficient hydrolysis of intralysosomal RPE lipids, an effect that may help prevent development of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). ...

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells mediate the recognition and clearance of effete photoreceptor outer segments (POS), a process central to the maintenance of normal vision. Given the emerging importance of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in transmembrane signaling in response to invading pathogens as well as endogenous substances, we hypothesized that TLRs are associated with RPE cell managemen...

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are central to retinal health and homoeostasis. Dysfunction or death of RPE cells underlies many age-related retinal degenerative disorders particularly age-related macular degeneration. During aging RPE cells decline in number, suggesting an age-dependent cell loss. RPE cells are considered to be postmitotic, and how they repair damage during aging remain...

Rat retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were immortalized by infection with a temperature-sensitive tsA SV40 virus and following cloning and selection for epithelial properties the polarized RPE-J cell line was obtained. At the permissive temperature of 33 degrees C, RPE-J cells behave as an immortalized cell line. When RPE-J cells are grown on nitrocellulose filters coated with a thin layer...

Retina differentiation involves the acquisition of a precise layered arrangement, with RPE cells in the first layer in intimate contact with photoreceptors in the second layer. Here, we developed an in vitro coculture model, to test the hypothesis that RPE cells play a pivotal role in organizing the spatial structure of the retina. We cocultured rat retinal neurons with ARPE-19 epithelial cells...

I took great interest in the recent article regarding the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplantation by Falkner-Radler et al. I agree that RPE cell transplantation might be a novel therapeutic option for patients in the antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) era, where antiVEGF fails to improve visual acuity. This is the case in RPE tear, massive subretinal haemorrhage or anti...