Appropriately differentiated ARPE-19 cells regain phenotype and gene expression profiles similar to those of native RPE cells

ARPE-19 cells at passages 9 to 12 grown in DMEM containing high glucose and pyruvate with 1% fetal bovine serum were differentiated for up to 4 months. ARPE-19 cells grown for 4 months developed the classic native RPE phenotype with heavy pigmentation. The results of this study demonstrate that low-passage ARPE-19 cells can express genes specific to native human RPE cells when appropriately cultured and differentiated.