Functions of retinal pigment epithelial cell and its roles in anti-angiogenesis

Abstract

The retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)is composed of a monolayer of cuboidal cells lying between the retinal photoreceptor and the Bruch's membrane of the choroids. The normality in morphology and function of RPE is essential for photoreceptor. RPE cells have the functions of selectively transporting nutrition, metabolic end products, ions and excess water, expressing and secreting various growth factors, involved in visual cycle, maintaining the blood-retinal barrier and phagocytosis of shed outer segments of photoreceptor cells. The blood-retinal barrier is indispensable for the maintaince of the retina homeostasis, so the dysfunction of the RPE cells contributes to variety of intraocular neovascular diease. This article reviews the roles of RPE in normal structure, secreting growth factors, maintaining the blood-retinal barrier and anti-angiogenesis.

Keywords

• retinal pigment epithelial
• blood-retinal barrier
• neovascularization
• vascular endothelial growth factor