RbCEpC Growth Medium Kit: Basal medium & growth supplement sold together packaged separately
Size: 1 KitCat.#: Rb221K-500Price:$185.00
RbCEpC Basal Medium: Basal medium (contains no growth supplement). Add Supplement before use.
Size: 500 mlCat.#: Rb220-500Price:$103.00
RbCEpC Growth Supplement: Added to Basal Medium to create Growth Medium
Size: 5 ml (3 parts)Cat.#: Rb221-GSPrice:$103.00
Description
Rabbit Corneal Epithelial Cells (RbCEpC) are specialized primary cells derived from the rabbit cornea, serving as a vital model for ocular surface physiology. The corneal epithelium acts as the eye’s front-line barrier, protecting delicate structures from bacterial invasion and chemical insult. While New Zealand white rabbit tissues remain the most common source, researchers also utilize Dutch Belted rabbits for specialized investigations, particularly in studies concerning the uvea or the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE cells).
Unlike immortalized models such as the SV40-transformed human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-T) — which often fail to replicate the complex, stratified physiological architecture of the native eye — primary RbCEpC retain authentic phenotypic responses. These animal primary cells are typically supplied as frozen cells that maintain robust capacity for corneal epithelial proliferation, making them an essential asset in primary cell research and cell models.
The industry-wide transition toward reducing in vivo testing has highlighted the reliability of RbCEpC in high-stakes regulatory toxicology, where they serve as a replacement for archaic in vivo Draize rabbit eye tests. These cells are fundamentally integrated into standardized protocols, most notably:
ISO 10993-5: Utilized for rigorous in vitro cytotoxicity testing of medical devices and materials.
OECD TG 492: Applied in Reconstructed Human Cornea-like Epithelium (RhCE) test methods to identify chemicals that induce serious eye damage or irritation.
Beyond regulatory compliance, cultured corneal epithelial cells serve as a cornerstone for pharmaceutical drug discovery. Scientists utilize them to explore the pathogenesis of glaucoma, ocular hypertension, and infectious keratitis.
The versatility of RbCEpC is best realized when integrated into sophisticated 3D cell culture and tissue engineering workflows. By utilizing advanced cell engineering tools — such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, lentiviral transduction for stable overexpression cell lines, or fluorescent reporter cell lines (e.g., GFP or luciferase) — researchers can map the molecular cascades of the ocular immune system and complex stromal interactions with high precision.
It is important to acknowledge the translational boundary: while RbCEpC provide unparalleled physiological fidelity for preclinical ocular research, they are not human cells. Their use in human-relevant toxicology is often complemented by human corneal epithelial cells (HCEpC) to provide final validation before clinical application.
The utility of these cells is further highlighted when contrasted with other primary lines, including retinal pigment epithelial cells, photoreceptor cells, or mesenchymal stem cells. Even when compared with unrelated tissues — such as those from the male reproductive system, rabbit pituitary cells, smooth muscle cells, or mouse adipocytes — RbCEpC maintain their status as a premier cellular tool. Whether they are being used to assess the safety of contact lenses or to advance wound healing therapies, RbCEpC provide the physiological architecture that immortalized cell lines, cancer cell lines, and other surrogates like human keratinocytes or oral mucosa frequently lack.
Rabbit Corneal Epithelial Cells (RbCEpC) are isolated from rabbit corneal epithelial tissue, which covers and protects the cornea from bacteria, and other harmful organisms and substances. RbCEpC are cryopreserved at the second passage and be cultured and propagated for at least 14 population doublings.
Recent publications demonstrate the utility of rabbit corneal epithelial cells in basic research and pharmaceutical drug discovery. For example, RbCEpC have been used to study growth factor expression, interaction with stromal cells, and corneal development, homeostasis and pathology. Others employ the cells to assess the effects and safety and cytotoxicity of contact lenses, ophthalmic solutions and even antidepressants. RbCEpC provide a key cellular tool in developing treatments for glaucoma, ocular hypertension, viral infections and keratitis.
RbCEpC
Details
Tissue
Normal healthy rabbit cornea
QC
No bacteria, yeast, fungi, mycoplasma
Bioassay
Attach, spread, proliferate in Growth Med
Cryovial
500,000 RbCEpC frozen Basal Medium w/ 10% FBS, 10% DMSO
Kit
Cryovial frozen RbCEpC, Growth Medium (Rb211-500), Subculture Rgnt Kit (090K)
Proliferating
RbCEpC Shipped in Tsfr Med, psg 1, flasks or plates
Doublings
At least 14
Applications
Laboratory research use only (RUO). Not for human, clinical, diagnostic or veterinary use.
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