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Review
. 2021 Jul 28:12:727870.
doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.727870. eCollection 2021.

Functions and Diseases of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

Song Yang  1 , Jun Zhou  1   2 , Dengwen Li  1
Affiliations
Review

Functions and Diseases of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

Song Yang et al. Front Pharmacol. .

Abstract

The retinal pigment epithelium is a fundamental component of the retina that plays essential roles in visual functions. Damage to the structure and function of the retinal pigment epithelium leads to a variety of retinopathies, and there is currently no curative therapy for these disorders. Therefore, studying the relationship between the development, function, and pathobiology of the retinal pigment epithelium is important for the prevention and treatment of retinopathies. Here we review the function of the retinal pigment epithelium and its relevance to the pathobiology, and discuss potential strategies for the treatment of retinopathies. In doing so, we provide new viewpoints outlining new ideas for the future study and treatment of retinopathies.

Keywords: development; disease; function; retina; retinal pigment epithelium; retinopathy; therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The structure of the retina. The retina is composed of multiple layers and different cell types. The RPE is composed of a single layer of RPE cells, which are connected to the choroid membrane through Bruch’s membrane.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Function of retinal pigment epithelial cells. (A), The phagocytic function of RPE cells. RPE cells recognize and bind phosphatidylserine (PS) exposed by POS through MerTK/Gas6 and αVβ5-integrin/MFGE8 pathways to initiate phagocytosis. It further forms phagosomes and binds with lysosomes to form the phagolysosome, which digests POS. (B), Antioxidant function of RPE cells. Light stress produces ROS. RPE cells absorb light through melanin or eliminate ROS accumulation through antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH). (C), RPE cell barrier function. The RPE forms an outer blood-retinal barrier between the interior of the retina and the choroid. The RPE cells form tight junctions, including ZO-1, occludin, and claudin, which act as barriers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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