Currents in freshly dissociated adult human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were studied using the perforated patch-clamp technique. The zero-current potential (V0) averaged -48.9 +/- 7.7 mV (n = 50). Depolarizing voltage pulses from -70 mV evoked an outward current that activated with first-order kinetics and that did not inactivate during prolonged depolarizations. Repolarizing the membrane potential produced tail currents that reversed near the K+ equilibrium potential, indicating that the sustained outward current was carried mainly by K+. The outwardly rectifying K+ conductance (gK) had an activation threshold voltage near -60 mV and was half-maximal at -37 mV. Approximately 25% of gK was active at the average V0. The K+ current was nearly completely blocked by 2 mM Ba2+ but was relatively insensitive to 20 mM tetraethylammonium. The kinetics, voltage dependence, and blocker sensitivity of this current clearly distinguish it from delayed rectifier K+ currents previously identified in RPE cells. We conclude that the sustained outward K+ current may help establish the resting potential of the apical and/or basolateral membranes and may also participate in K+ transport across the RPE.

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At the time of writing, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has affected 6.42 million people globally and over 380,000 deaths, with the United Kingdom now having the highest death rate in Europe. The plastic surgery department at Leeds Teaching Hospitals put necessary steps in place to maintain an excellent urgent elective and acute service whilst also managing COVID-positive medical patients in the ward. We describe the structures and pathways implemented together with complex decision-making, which has allowed us to respond early and effectively. We hope these lessons will prove a useful tool as we look to open conversations around the recovery of normal activity.