Figure 4.

Schematic representation of the modulation of the functional behaviour of RPE when cultured in vitro. Loss of epithelial phenotype is observed which concomitantly associates with enhanced activity of TGF b cell signalling pathways through SMAD activation. In vitro expansion of biomaterials with high to low modulus affects various cellular phenotype and behaviour. Cells exhibits a higher inflammatory response when cultured on biomaterials with high elastic moduli. Similarly, RPE phagocytosis ability is efficient when cultured in low elastic modulus.