Anti-aging of the retinal pigment epithelial cells by activation of AMP kinase

视网膜色素上皮细胞（RPE）的衰老相关功能障碍是老年性黄斑变性发病的关键因素。本研究以能量感应酶AMP激酶（AMPK）为研究对象，阐明AMPK在RPE随衰老功能障碍中的作用。在年龄相关性黄斑变性慢性炎症模型中，我们发现AMPK的激活抑制了RPE的细胞增殖和迁移。此外，通过加载细胞慢性氧化应激，我们阐明了诱导RPE衰老的可能性。此外，我建立了实验方法来评估与衰老相关的RPE细胞功能的变化。

Aging related dysfunction of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) is the key factor in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration. In this study, we focused on the energy sensing enzyme AMP kinase (AMPK) and elucidated the role of AMPK in the dysfunction of RPE with aging. In a model of chronic inflammation seen in age-related macular degeneration, we revealed that the activation of AMPK inhibited cell proliferation and migration of RPE. Further, by loading the cell chronic oxidative stress, we clarified that it is possible to induce senescence of RPE. In addition, I have established the experimental methods to evaluate the changes in the cellular function of RPE associated with aging.