Bovine Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

The retina is a light-sensitive tissue located at the posterior part of the eye, which converts light into nerve signals. The retina contains ten different layers and includes photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium. The retinal pigment epithelial cell (REpiC) layer is a monolayer of cells which is located between the retina and the choroid. The RPEpiC contain melanosomes and melanin granules and maintain the metabolic activity of the retina. The RPEpiC also form the outer part of the blood-retina barrier and provide nutrients and oxygen to the rod and cone photoreceptors. RPEpiC play a critical role in regulating the adjacent photoreceptor membrane turnover, retinoid metabolism, and protecting the retina from light-induced damages by the intracellular melanin. The dysfunction of RPEpiC can cause ocular disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, proliferative retinopathy. Bovine RPEpiC are a useful in vitro model for studying RPEpiC function and understanding the molecular mechanisms of ocular diseases.

BRPEpiC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from bovine retina. BRPEpiC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. BRPEpiC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to cytokeratin-18. BRPEpiC are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. BRPEpiC are guaranteed to further expand for 5 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium

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