Transcriptomic features of GFP+ RPE cells in Serpine-Gfp heterozygous mice at 2 months III

However, the underlying mechanisms of regional RPE degeneration remain poorly understood. To address this gap, this study first identifies a novel RPE subpopulation through the spatial, transcriptomic, and functional analyses, thereby contributing to the understanding of the heterogeneity of degenerative RPE cells.

Specifically, omics analyses in human and macaque RPE reveal a peripheral RPE cell population with high SERPINE3 expression, while SERPINE3-GFP knock-in mice show comparable expression patterns. In addition, SMART-seq2 analysis further distinguishes transcriptomic profiles between GFP-positive and GFP-negative RPE cells. Under oxidative stress, SERPINE3 expression increases, and GFP-positive cells exhibit improved survival and reentry into the cell cycle.