ARPE-19 cells were transfected with the NC or Runx2 overexpression plasmid, respectively. The effect of transfection with the Runx2 overexpression plasmid was determined by Western blot (A) and RT-qPCR assays (B); ***P < 0.001 vs. NC group. (C) CCK-8 analysis of the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells transfected with the Runx2 overexpression plasmid at 0, 1, 2, and 3 days, ***P < 0.001 vs. NC group. (D) The effect of Runx2 overexpression on the apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells as examined by flow cytometry. (E) The effect of Runx2 overexpression on the apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells as investigated by Hoechst staining (original magnification ×200, scale bar = 50 μm). All experiments were repeated three times.