Molecular Determinants of the Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Fate and Potential Pharmacogenomic Targets for Precision Medicine.

ABSTRACT: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of blindness worldwide, and it is projected to affect several million individuals by 2040. The human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) degenerates in dry AMD, prompting the need to develop stem cell therapies to replace the lost tissue by autologous transplantation and restore the visual function. Nevertheless, the molecular factors behind the hRPE cell fate determination have not been elucidated. Here we identify all molecular determinants of the hRPE cell fate identity by comprehensive and unbiased screening of predicted pioneer factors in the human genome: such TFs mediate coordinated transitions in chromatin accessibility and transcriptional outcome along three major stages of the hRPE genesis. Furthermore, we compile a complete

SUBMITTER: Zibetti C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12192794 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature