Purpose: TYR and DCT are the main enzymes involved in the melanogenesis and modification of the melanin into its different types, respectively. MITF and OTX2 are transcription factors that regulate transcription of many genes including TYR and DCT. Cellular melanin content in neonates’ and adults’ RPE is not the same. In the present study we compared gene expression of MITF-A, MITF-H, OTX2, TYR and DCT in neonatal and adult human RPE cells in culture. Methods: Neonatal and adult human globes were dissected and RPE cells were isolated and cultured in DMEM: F12 (1:1) supplemented with 10% FBS. When cultures in passages 1-7 reached to 90% confluency, RPE cells’ RNA was extracted and reversely transcribed using Qiagen cDNA synthesis kit and subjected to amplification by Real-Time PCR. Results: According to Real-Time RT-PCR results, the rate of gene transcription for MITF-H, OTX2, TYR and DCT in neonatal human RPE was significantly higher than adult ones. Conclusion: Neonatal human RPE cells expressed MITF-H, OTX2, TYR and DCT in a significantly higher rate in respect to human adult RPE cultures. It seems that higher melanin content of neonatal RPE makes neonatal RPE cells more resistant to ultraviolet, different relevant damages and diseases.

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