Effects of Cytokine Activation and Oxidative Stress on the Function of the Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.

Purpose: In several retinal complications, such as age-dependent macular degeneration (AMD), oxidative stress is increased and cytokine level is elevated. These are shown to alter the activation and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) both in human primary and immortalized retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. However, the effects on human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived RPE cells remain to be elucidated.