The pigmented epithelium, a bright partner against photoreceptor degeneration

@article{Letelier2017ThePE,
  title={The pigmented epithelium, a bright partner against photoreceptor degeneration},
  author={Joaqu{\'i}n Letelier and Paola Bovolenta and Juan Ram{\'o}n Mart{\'i}nez-Morales},
  journal={Journal of Neurogenetics},
  year={2017},
  volume={31},
  pages={203 - 215}
}
Abstract Sight depends on the intimate association between photoreceptors and pigment epithelial cells. The evolutionary origin of this cellular tandem can be traced back to the emergence of bilateral animals, at least 450 million years ago, as they define the minimal unit of the ancestral prototypic eye. Phototransduction is a demanding process from the energetic and homeostatic points of view, and not surprisingly photoreceptive cells are particularly susceptible to damage and degeneration… 
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14 Citations
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Methods Citations
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14 Citations

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Citation Type

Setting Eyes on the Retinal Pigment Epithelium
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Present knowledge on RPE morphogenesis is reviewed and potential mechanisms that may explain such transformation using examples taken from embryonic Drosophila tissues that undergo similar shape changes are discussed.
Sfrp1 deficiency makes retinal photoreceptors prone to degeneration
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It is proposed that Sfrp1 contributes to photoreceptor fitness with a mechanism that involves the maintenance of OLM integrity and is discussed in view of the broader implication of SFRP1 in neurodegeneration and aging.
Stretching of the retinal pigment epithelium contributes to zebrafish optic cup morphogenesis
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It is shown that, in virtual absence of proliferation, RPE cells stretch into a squamous configuration, thereby matching the curvature of the underlying retina and enabling extreme RPE flattening and accelerated differentiation to enable timely optic cup formation.
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TLDR
This systematic interrogation of the NR/RPE bifurcation should improve both genetic counselling for eye disorders and hiPSCs-to-RPE differentiation protocols for cell-replacement therapies in degenerative diseases.
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A number of similarities between the chicken and human eye, which might be exploited to address other eye pathologies, including degenerative ocular diseases, are highlighted.
Evaluating the harmful effect of handheld commercial green laser pointer on retina at variable power and intervals of exposure: Animal model
Stretching of the retinal pigment epithelium contributes to zebrafish optic cup morphogenesis
TLDR
It is shown that, in virtual absence of proliferation, RPE cells stretch and flatten, thereby matching the retinal curvature and promoting OV folding, and extreme RPE flattening and accelerated differentiation are efficient solutions adopted by fast-developing species to enable timely optic cup formation.
Development of Melanin-Bearing Pigment Cells in Birds and Mammals
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