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Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Rapid, Directed Differentiation of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells from Human Embryonic or Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: October 30, 2017
Rapid differentiation of the human RPE cell line, ARPE-19, induced by nicotinamide
Roni A Hazim1, Stefanie Volland1, Alice Yen1
1Department of Ophthalmology and Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Human RPE cell lines, especially the ARPE-19 cell line, are widely-used in eye research, as well as general epithelial cell studies. In comparison with primary RPE cells, they offer relative convenience and consistency, but cultures derived from these lines are typically not well differentiated. We describe a simple, rapid method to establish cultures from ARPE-19 cells, with significantly improved epithelial cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization, and RPE-related functions. We identify the presence of nicotinamide, a member of the vitamin B family, as an essential factor in promoting the observed differentiation, indicating the importance of metabolism in RPE cell differentiation.
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