Retinal Pigment Epithelium Extracellular Vesicles Induce Microglia Polarization in MERTK-Associated Retinal Degeneration.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a hereditary retinal disease. MERTK-associated RP is characterized by earlier onset and rapid progression, featuring retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) inflammation and microglial activation, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. The study aimed to elucidate the intrinsic interactions between RPE inflammation and microglial activation mediated by RPE-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Methods

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived RPE models from MERTK mutant patients and healthy controls were established and characterized by transcriptomic analysis. RPE-derived EVs were isolated, and their RNA and protein cargo were systematically profiled using transcriptomic and proteomic data, revealing a potential role

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12697710 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature