RPE Redifferentiation (miRNA)

ABSTRACT: Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) cells are located behind the retina and are critical for photoreceptor survival. Loss of RPE is associated with several pathogenic conditions such as Age Related Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa. RPE derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) offer a potential source for producing these cells for therapy. Here we report the molecular and cellular characterization of RPE differentiated from hESC. hESC derived RPE are capable of proliferation and lose their epithelial characteristics before becoming confluent and re-differentiating back into their typical pigmented, cobblestoned appearance. During the proliferative phase, they adopt a mesenchymal morphology and express mesenchymal markers. Our results demonstrate that this apparent Epithelial

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: [e-mail] Gutteridge 

PROVIDER: E-MTAB-960 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress