A FOXM1 Dependent Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition in Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells.

The integrity of the epithelium is maintained by a complex but regulated interplay of processes that allow conversion of a proliferative state into a stably differentiated state. In this study, using human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) cells as a model; we have investigated the molecular mechanisms that affect attainment of the epithelial phenotype. We demonstrate that RPE undergo a Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition in culture before acquiring an epithelial phenotype in a FOXM1 dependent manner.