Fig. 1

Gene expression analysis and morphology of hESC-RPE cells. Gene expression of a house-keeping gene GAPDH, and RPE-specific marker genes MITF, bestrophin and tyrosinase were assessed with reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from Regea08/017 (A) and Regea08/023 (B) hESC-RPE cells cultured for 9, 16, 28, and 35 days. Water was used as negative control. Relative gene expression of mature RPE markers, the retinal pigment epithelium specific protein 65 kDa (RPE65) (C) and receptor tyrosine kinase MerTK (MERTK) (D) of 9-day and 28-day cultured non-wounded (i.e. control) samples. The Ct values of target genes were approximately 30. A bright filed image of Regea08/017 hESC-RPEs cultured for 9 days (E), 16 days (F), 28 days (G), and 35 days (H). Bright filed image of Regea08/023 hESC-RPEs cultured for 9 days (I), 16 days (J), 28 days (K), and 35 days (L). Scale bar 50 μm