Bovine Iris Pigment Epithelial Cells

The iris is a pigmented disk that controls the size of pupil and the amount of light reaching the retina. The iris is composed of 2 main layers including the stroma, which contracts or dilates the pupil, and the posterior pigmented epithelial cells. The iris pigment epithelial cells are a layer of epithelial cells that line the posterior portion of the iris and are responsible for limiting the light that reaches the retina. The iris pigment epithelial cells (IPEpiC) share the same embryonic origin as retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE), and therefore exhibit similar functional properties as RPE, including turnover of photoreceptors and synthesis of trophic factors. IPEpiC can suppress T-cell activation and help to reduce inflammation in the eye. IPEpiC have also been shown to promote ocular inflammation through a functional lipopolysaccharide receptor complex. Bovine IPEpiC can be used to further study IPEpiC in vitro and better understand the role of these cells in the development of ocular disease such as glaucoma, acute anterior uveitis, and iritis.

BIPEpiC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from bovine iris. BIPEpiC are cryopreserved at P0 and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. BIPEpiC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to cytokeratin-18. BIPEpiC are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. BIPEpiC are guaranteed to further culture under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories; however, BIPEpiC are not recommended for subculturing due to limited expansion capacity.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use Epithelial Cell Medium (EpiCM, Cat. #4101) for culturing BIPEpiC in vitro.