[Pathologic response of the regenerated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)--affected by sodium iodate (NaIO3)]

Phagocytosis, proliferation and metaplasia to fibroblast-like cells in the regenerated retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPE) were examined after damage caused by administration of sodium iodate. The solution of sodium iodate (40 mg/kg) was given in a single intravenous injection in rats. Three days after injection, RPE showed marked necrotic damage, but in 2 weeks flat regenerated RPE with short microvilli and no basal infolding were seen on Bruch's membrane. Polystyrene particles were then injected into the subretinal space. The rats were sacrificed 6 hours to 4 days after injection of the particles. The regenerated RPE showed phagocytosis within 6 hours. After 48 hours, they showed multilayer proliferation. After 4 days RPE transformed to spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells. However proliferation and metaplasia of RPE markedly decreased. The results showed significant decrease in the function of regenerated RPE-cells as a result of their damage.