Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for the retinal pigment epithelium

Although both the neural retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) arise as neighboring portions of the embryonic optic cup, these two tissues follow very different developmental pathways. In order to obtain probes for the analysis of RPE development from its earliest divergence from the neural retina to late stages of differentiation, we have developed a panel of monoclonal antibodies which recognize antigens specific to the RPE. These probes have been applied to an immunohistochemical analysis of RPE development. The results indicate that the RPE is antigenically distinct from the neural retina even before the onset of overt differentiation. In addition, the RPE layer of the retina becomes further subdivided antigenically as its distinct anterior and posterior derivatives develop. These antibodies will be useful markers in the analysis of RPE development.