The ciliary epithelium rests upon the leaf-like projections of the ciliary processes in the posterior chamber, overlaying the core of stroma and blood vessels. It consists of two layers of columnar cells, which appear structurally and functionally distinct. The outer layer of epithelium is pigmented, but the inner layer, which resides next to the aqueous, is not. In mammalian eyes, the non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells (NPCEpiC) are largely responsible for the aqueous humor inflow. NPCEpiC generate an osmotic gradient through solute transfer, which then results in water movement from the stroma into the posterior chamber [1]. Other studies have implicated NPCEpiC in the synthesis of macro-molecules required for photo-transduction [2] and the development of rare adenomas in the ciliary body [3].

HNPCEpiC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human ciliary body. HNPCEpiC are cryopreserved at P0 and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 105 cells in 1 ml volume. HNPCEpiC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to cytokeratin-18 and -19. HNPCEpiC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. HNPCEpiC are guaranteed to further expand for 10 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use Epithelial Cell Medium (EpiCM, Cat. #4101) for culturing HNPCEpiC in vitro.