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Current Status of IPE Transplantation and Its Potential as a Cell-Based Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinal Dystrophies

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Retinal Degenerations

Part of the book series: Ophthalmology Research ((OPHRES))

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Abstract

The vital properties of the neural retina that ensures good vision are maintained by the highly specialized functions of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Among these functions are a physical barrier with tight junctions, absorption of stray light, metabolic/biochemical phagocytosis and vitamin A metabolism, developmental/trophic support (cytokines), and transport of ion, amino acids, and vitamin A. In addition, the microenvironment of the subretinal space between the photoreceptor cells of the sensory retina and the choriocapillaris (1) is maintained by RPE cells. For example, each RPE cell is estimated to phagocytize about 3 × 108 discs during a 70-yr life span, and RPE cells are the scavenger operating under oxidative stress during continuous light stimulation (2). Abnormalities in any of these functions of the RPE cells will lead to disturbances of the microenvironment and result in the programmed cell death of the photoreceptor cells (3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University, School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan

    Makoto Tamai MD, PhD

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  1. Makoto Tamai MD, PhD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

    Joyce Tombran-Tink PhD  & Colin J. Barnstable DPhil  & 

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© 2007 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Tamai, M. (2007). Current Status of IPE Transplantation and Its Potential as a Cell-Based Therapy for Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinal Dystrophies. In: Tombran-Tink, J., Barnstable, C.J. (eds) Retinal Degenerations. Ophthalmology Research. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-186-4_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-186-4_18

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-620-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-186-4

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