Revista de Dermatología y Enfermedades Dermatológicas

Autophagic Regulation of Retinal Pigment Epithelium Homeostasis

Abstract

Ya-Ju Chang, Ja-an Annie Ho, Shih-lan Hsu, Li-Chen Wu

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a single layer of hexagonal pigmented cells located in the outmost part of the neurosensory retina. RPE cells are vital for the health of retina. Dysfunction of RPE resulted from consistent exposures to oxidative stress has been reportedly to cause retinal degenerations, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). RPE cells exert different types autophagy to maintain retina hemostasis. This review summarizes molecular and cellular autophagic mechanisms that are revealed in RPE to respond to stress. The evidence in support of autophagy dysfunction or aging that result in diseases is also discussed.