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Proteomic tools for studying RPE functions
Author(s) -
Hongisto H.,
Jylhä A.,
Nättinen J.,
Rieck J.,
Ilmarinen T.,
Veréb Z.,
Aapola U.,
Beuerman R.,
Petrovski G.,
Uusitalo H.,
Skottman H.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2017.02174
Subject(s) - proteome , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , retinal pigment epithelium , retinal , proteomics , embryonic stem cell , cell , retina , computational biology , bioinformatics , gene , biochemistry , neuroscience
Summary Human embryonic stem cell‐derived retinal pigment epithelial cells (hESC‐RPE) provide a promising cell source for studying retinal development, for disease modelling, and retinal cell replacement therapies. Several research groups, including ours, have demonstrated that hESC‐RPE structure, function, and physiology resembles that of native RPE regarding cellular fine structure and expression of many RPE signature genes and proteins. To characterize the hESC‐RPE proteome in larger scale, we have compared hESC‐RPE protein expression to primary human RPE using isobaric tags for relative quantitation (iTRAQ) technology. The hESC‐RPE proteome reflected that of native RPE with a large number of metabolic, mitochondrial, cytoskeletal, and transport proteins expressed. No adverse signs such as increased stress, proliferation, or retinal degeneration‐related changes were seen in hESC‐RPE, while proteins involved in key RPE functions such as visual cycle and phagocytosis were detected. Proteomics provides valuable tools for validation of hESC‐RPE, studying disease mechanisms, and discovery of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.