PURPOSE We have shown previously that non-enzymatic nitration (NEN) of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which serves as a model of Bruch's membrane (BM) aging, has a profound effect on the behavior of the overlying retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, including altered phagocytic ability, reduced cell adhesion, and inhibition of proliferation. We know that transplanted RPE monolayers will enc...

PURPOSE To establish a novel protocol for differentiation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with high purity from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). METHODS Retinal progenitor cells were differentiated from mouse iPSC, and RPE differentiation was then enhanced by activation of the Wnt signaling pathway, inhibition of the fibroblast growth factor signaling pathway, and inhibition o...

Human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) contains two genetically distinct forms of superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes that scavenge harmful superoxide anions. Biochemical and immunochemical techniques were used to compare levels of copper-zinc- and manganese-containing forms of SOD (CuZn-SOD and Mn-SOD) in human adult and fetal RPE cells. It was found that Mn-SOD activity was higher in adult tha...

Diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affect the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and lead to the death of the epithelial cells and ultimately blindness. RPE transplantation is currently a major focus of eye research and clinical trials using human stem cell-derived RPE cells are ongoing. However, it remains to be established to which extent the source of RPE cells for transpl...

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 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 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...

Pigment epithelium isolated from the eye possesses immunosuppressive properties such as regulatory T (Treg) cell induction; e.g., cultured retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) converts CD4(+) T cells into Treg cells in vitro. RPE constitutively expresses a novel immunosuppressive factor, CTLA-2alpha, which is a cathepsin L (CathL) inhibitor, and this molecule acts via RPE to induce Treg cells. To c...

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) shows cell heterogeneity in morphology and enzymatic activity. Routine isolation procedures for RPE cells may reduce enzymatic activity and prevent the quantification of regional enzymatic differences in vivo. We developed a new technique for the isolation of RPE cells based on adhesion of the cells to agarose. The morphology of the isolated cells resembled ...

PURPOSE Pathological angiogenesis and chronic inflammation greatly contribute to the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in chorioretinal diseases involving abnormal contact between retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and endothelial cells (ECs), associated with Bruch's membrane rupture. We explored the ability of the small organotellurium compound octa-O-bis-(R,R)-tartarate ditellur...