Levels of many hydrophobic cellular substances are tightly regulated because of their
potential cytotoxicity. These compounds tend to self-aggregate in cytoplasmic storage
depots termed lipid droplets/bodies that have well defined structures that contain additional
components, including cholesterol and various proteins. Hydrophobic substances in these
structures become mobilized in a specific and regulated manner as dictated by cellular
requirements. Retinal pigmented epithelial cells in the eye produce retinyl ester-containing …