Purpose:To evaluate the function of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication in cultured cells of retinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells from porcine eyes. Methods:The cultured RPE cells were previously stained by a fluorescent probe 5, 6-carboxy fluorescein diacetate (CFDA) ,and then photobleach the fluorescent molecule in chosed cells. Using laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM)to observe fluorescence recovery rate of the RPE cells which located in different condition. The function of gap junction communication was evaluated according to the fluorescence recovery rate. Results:The fluorescence recovered after photobleached and the fluorescent density of cells which touching to them descend. The recovery rate per minnte of the cells which the cell number it adjacent to was 1,2 and 3 respectively was 1. 997plusmn;0. 665, 4. 378plusmn;0. 811 and 8. 736plusmn;2. 084. Conclusion:The cultured porcine RPE cells have the function of gap junction communication,and its function proportion is associate to its adjoining cells number. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 41-42）
Objective To investigate the effects of QUE on proliferation and DNA synthesis of cultured retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) cells with or without EGF. Methods With or without EGF, cultured RPE cells were treated with QUE by various concentrations(200,100,50,1mu;mol/L) and with QUE 200mu;mol/L at different times(24-168 hr), cells proliferation and DNA synthesis were evaluated by cell count method and the uptake of thymidine. The viability of cells was determined by trypanblue exclusion. Results The best concentration of QUE which inhibits proliferation and DNA synthesis of PRE cells was 200mu;mol/L. The significant inhibition effect of QUE occurred at 48hr, and the best inhibition of QUE occurred at 96hr. QUE had more powerful effect of antiproliferation on RPE cells, and the viability of RPE cells was over85%. Conclusion The results suggested that QUE could inhibit the proliferation of RPE cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, especially inhibit the proliferation induced by EGF stimulating. QUE had no cyto-toxic effect on RPE cells cultured in vitro. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1999,15:27-29)
Objective To observe the effect of exogenous basic fibrob last growth factor (bFGF) on apoptosis of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells exposed to visible light,and determine the role of bFGF, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1),bcl-2 and caspase-3. Methods 2000±500) lx cold white light was used. Exogenous bFGF was utilized during culture. Annexin annexin V-fluoresce in isothiocyanate/propidium iodium (V-FITC/PI) labeling,flow cytometry, Immunocytochemical staining, enzyme associated absorb examing and reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to determine the apoptosis, the expression levels of bFGF, FGFR1, bcl-2, as well as the activity of caspase-3. Results No protective effect of bFGF was observed under the concentration 5 ng/ml.A significant inhibition of apoptosis was found in 10 ng/ml and 20 ng/ml groups （P＜0.05）. The upregulation of bcl-2 was observed in bFGF (10 ng/ml, 20 ng/ml) protreated groups（P＜0.01）.Compared to no light exposure group,all light exposure groups (including bFGF pro-treated) had higher endogenous bFGF and FGFR1 levels （P ＜0.05）, and the increase was concentration dependent.The bFGF and FGFR1 levels were higher in exogenous bFGF applied (gt;5 ng/ml) groups than light exposure groups（P＜0.05）. The caspase-3 activity was significantly inhibited in bFGF (10 ng/ml) pro-treated groups. Conclusions Human RPE cells exposed to visible light were rescued by application of exogenous bFGF in vitro.The probable protective mechanism of bFGF partly is directly binding to FGFR1 or potentiating endogenous bFGF autocrine loop,to upregulate bcl-2 and to inhibit caspase-3 activation. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：24-28)
OBJECTIVE :To investigale effect of subretinal fluld(SRF)on proliferalion of the cellular elements of PVR. METHOD:The effect of SRF of 28 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment proliferation of the cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells(RPE),retinal glial cells (RG),and fibroblast (FB)was observed and detected by the methods of cell-counting and 3H-TdR in DNA synthesis. RESULTS:The range of proliferatinn-stimulating activity was 52.5%~233.3%, 36.4% ~ 177.8%，55.4% ~277.8% above the baseline in 1:10 dilution of these 3 kinds ,of cellular elements,and there was no significant difference among them. CONCLUSION ;The stimulating effect of SRF on the cellular proliferation was thougt to be due to the actions from certain growth factors. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 233-235）
Objective To observe the mutation frequency and the characteristics of rentinitis pigmentosa (RP)1 gene in the Chinese patients with autosomal dominant (AD) RP or sporadic RP (SRP), and to evaluate their potential effects on the pathogenesis of RP. Methods Fifty-five members from 7 Chinese families with ADRP, 30 patients with SRP, and 75 healthy adults were recruited. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing were used to detect the sequence mutation in the entire coding region and splice sites of RP1 gene. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to detect the effect of RP1 gene mutation sites on RP. Results Four coding sequence variants were detected in the codes of 852，872，921 and 939 at the exon 4 of RP1 gene. The R872H alteration, which was found in both ADRP families and patients with SRP, showed positive correlation with RP confirmed by the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The P903L alteration was only found in ADRP families but not in the patients with SRP or the healthy adults. Conclusions The R872H alteration in the RP1 gene is likely to increase the risk of RP, and may be a susceptible gene of RP. Whether the P903L alteration is a diseasecausing factor needs to be further studied.
Objective To investigate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) on the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium cells(RPE). Methods Cultured human RPE cells of the 4-6 th passages were divided into two groups: Delbecco′s modified Eagle′s medium (DMEM) and 2%DMEM (20 g/L foeta calf serum+DMEM). PDGF (0,1,50 ng/ml) was added to medium.The expression of α-SMA was detected and quantitatively analyzed by image process of immunofluorescence.Results PDGF stimulated the expression of α-SMA of human RPE cells.In group of DMEM, The rate of RPE of α-SMA expression was 40%-50% and the intension of fluorescence was 8.08 without PDGF. After stimulated by PDGF(1 ng/ml,50 ng/ml), the rates were 80% and 90% respectively, and the intension of fluorescence were 12.35 and 17.23. In 2%DMEM group, The rates of RPE of α-SMA expression were 85% without PDGF, and 95% ,100% respectively treated with PDGF (1 ng/ml,50 ng/ml). The intension of fluorescence was 14.79 without PDGF, and after stimulated by PDGF, they were 16.28 at 1 ng/ml and 21.36 at 50 ng/ml，which was 2 .7 times ber than that in DMEM group without PDGF. Conclusion PDGF could stimulate RPE cells to express α-SMA. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：201-268)
PURPOSE:In search of the mechanism for photic retinal injury. METHODS:A visible light damage model was established in the primary cultured healthy,adult human RPE cells by using intense fluorescence light (2 400 Lx). RESULTS:Electron microscopy revealed swelling of the mitochondria and obscurity of nuclear membranous structure in the light damaged cells. The decrease or dissolution of organelle,vacuolization of cytoplasm and myelinic degeneration were found in some severely damaged cells. The level of intracellular SOD was decreased to 41% of that of the controls (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION:The structure of the RPE was damaged by the light radiation and the level of intracellular SOD was decreased. These suggested the light damage might be associated with the production of free radicals and the lipid perioxide reaction in membranous structure of cell. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 174-175 ）
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the index of the rejection of lJle retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells transplantation. METHOD:Allogenic RPE transplantation on rahbits by transcleral technique, the changes of interleukin-2 (IL-2) activity in peripheral blood and the effect of immunoinhibitor (methylprednisonlone)were detected. RESLILTS:In the group of simple transplantation,the IL-2 activity in peripheral blood begin to rise in the first day after operation. The peak value occured in the third day,and is still much higher than that of the control group in the 14th day,whereas in the group treated with immunoinhibitor ,there was no obvious difference in the first day after operatlon,in the third day,the IL-2 activity rises slightly,and returned to normal level in the 7th day. CONCLUSION: After RPE transplantation, the level of IL-2 activity in peripheral blood might serve as an important index to determining and detecting the rejective response. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 239-241）
Objective To observe the effect of continuous elastic outside distraction on the change of collagen content in female mini pig’s ni pples and their supporting tissues, and to investigate the mechanism of continuous elastic outside distraction correcting inverted ni pples. Methods Three 3-month-old female mini pigs (weighing 18.5-22.0 kg), which had 12 nipples, were employed. Four nipples of each minipig were not treated as control group (n=12), and the other nipples were continuously distracted with inverted nipple correction instruments as experimental group (n=24). The nipple specimens were harvested at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after distraction and HE staining was performed to observe the change oftheir tissue structure. And saturated picric acid sirius red staining was used to observe the distribution and content of collagen types I and III, image analysis software for quantitative analysis. Results The control group had normal structure of epidermis at all time points. In experimental group, the epidermis thickened; basal cells, fibroblasts, and capillary significantly prol iferated along with the times; and the content and the density of collagen types I and III increased gradually. There were significant differences in collagen type I at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and in collagen type III at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks between 2 groups (P lt; 0.01). There were significant differences in the ratio of collagen type I to III at 2 and 4 weeks between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Continuous elastic outside distraction can increase the quantity of collagen types I and III in the tissue, the thickness of the dermis, and the height of the nipple, which may be one of key mechanisms of correction the inverted nipple by continuous elastic outside distraction.
Objective To establish a method for primary culture of iris pigment epithelial cells(IPE). MethodsEnzyme-Assisted microdissection was used to isolate and cultivate the IPE cells.An identification was made with microscopic and immunohistochemical observations.Results IPE were successfully sultured and showed on differences with RPE in primary culture and subculture.ConclusionEnzyme-Assisted microdissection is a reliable and quick method for the isolation of IPE.