Objective To verify whetheriris pigment epithelial cells(IPECs)possess the similar potential of specific phagocytosis to retinal outer segments(ROS) with retinal pigment epithelialcells(RPECs). Methods IPESc were isolated from neonatal bovines with Hu's method,and were cultured.The cultured cells were identified by immunohistochemical methods with antibodies to cytokeratin and s-100.Total RNA of IPECs was extracted by Trizol.The specific primers for mannose-receptor andbeta;-actin were designed according to their sequence from Genbank.The mRNA expression of these proteins in the IPECs was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCT).Results The Cultured IPECs have no contamination of other cells .The extracted RNA was ideal and had no degradation.RT-PCR analysis showed that mannose-receptor's mRNA was expressed in cultured IPECs in vitro.ConclusionCultured IPECs may express the mannose-receptor,and may have similar potential of phagocytosis to ROS with REPCs.