AIM: To exam the alteration of MERTK gene in different passages and clarify the feasibility of passaged allograft retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)cells transplantation.

METHODS:Human primary RPE cells were passaged as ratio 1:3, the level of MERTK gene in different passages cells were quantified by SYBR^® Green I real time RT-PCR. The 2^-ΔΔCT method was used to calculate relative changes in gene expression determined from real-time quantitative PCR experiments.

RESULTS: Both primary and passaged RPE cells expressed MERTK gene. The level of MERTK gene in second passage RPE cells were the same as the primary cells,while in passage 3-6 the level of MERTK gene were declined obviously.

CONCLUSION: The passaged allograft RPE cells could be a source for transplantation, but the second passage RPE cells were the better selected object.