eye_upper_slim part of part of neurecto-epithelial cell non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cell 2010-09-13T04:09:31Z NPE cell A cell that is part of non-pigmented ciliary epithelium. This cell type participates in aqueous humor formation by releasing solute, principally sodium and chloride ions received from pigmented epithelial cells via gap junctions, into the aqueous humor of the eye. nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cell Non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells are a specialized cell type found in the ciliary body of the eye. The ciliary body is responsible for producing the aqueous humor, which is the clear, watery fluid that fills the anterior portion of the eye. These cells, also known as the ciliary epithelium's non-pigmented layer, are located immediately beneath the pigmented ciliary epithelial cells. They play several key roles in maintaining eye health and function and contribute to the eye's intricate physiology. Together with the endothelial cells of the iris and ciliary blood vessels, the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium form the blood aqueous barrier in the anterior part of the eye. One of the main functions of non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells includes the production and regulation of aqueous humor, which provides nourishment and oxygen supply to the avascular lens and cornea, two vital eye components found in the anterior segment. Aqueous humor also helps to maintain intraocular pressure, which is critical for retaining the shape of the eye. Aberrations in this balance often result in ocular pathologies like glaucoma. Non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells play a key role in the secretory processes that regulate the aqueous humor through active transport, diffusion, and ultrafiltration from the blood plasma. Therefore, due to their complex and multi-faceted functions sustaining eye health, non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells represent a critical cell type in eye biology and physiological equilibrium. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) FMA:70607 https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0002304 In a consensus model of unidirectional secretion, aqueous humour is formed by transferring solute, principally NaCl, from stroma to posterior chamber, with water passively following the osmotic gradient. Unidirectional secretion comprises three sequential steps. First, NaCl is transferred from the stromal interstitium into the pigmented ciliary epithelial (PE) cells. Second, solute passes from the PE into the non-pigmented ciliary epithelial (NPE) cells through gap junctions. Finally, NPE cells release Na+ and Cl− into the aqueous humour. ciliary epithelium