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 clinical features of congenital hypertrophy of retinal pigment epithelium （CHRPE）. Methods The clinical data of 13 CHRPE patients including visual acuity, slit-lamp microscope examination, indirect ophthalmoscope examination and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients, 9 males and 4 females, with the mean age of 27.8 years. Results All patients were unilateral, without systemic diseases and no subjective symptoms in majority. Only 30.77% of initial diagnosis was correct, other diagnosis include choroidal nevi, old chorioretinopathy or no diagnosis. The round or oval black lesion was found in ocular fundus of all patients, 7.69% was located on the optic disk, 46.15% was located on the inferior temporal retina, 30.77% was located on the superior temporal retina, 15.39％ was located on the inferior nasal retina. 92.31％ was pigmented CHRPE and 7.69％ was non-pigmented CHRPE. FFA showed blocked fluorescence and transmitted fluorescence in the lesion, few eyes were found dilated capillary vessel and fluorescent leakage on the late stage of FFA, most eyes had normal retinal vessels. Conclusion The isolated CHRPE is round or oval black lesion in ocular fundus which lack of subjective symptoms, mostly located on the peripheral retina; the FFA characteristics showed blocked fluorescence and transmitted fluorescence, and CHRPE often misdiagnosed as other disease, it should be combine the ocular fundus manifestation with the FFA to diagnose properly.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of dexamethasone to intracellular free Ca2+ of frozen RPE cells. METHODS:The cultured human RPE cells were frozen for 30s at --70deg;C. The RPE cells were loaded with Fura-2/AM and analyzed using a digital imaging microscopy system,the effect of dexamethasone to intracellular free Ca2+ was measured at a serial concentration of 40, 60,100,150,200mu;g/ml. RESULTS:The concentration of intracellular free Ca in frozen human RPE cells was increased to 18.6%~29.8% by dexamethasone at concenlration of 40mu;g/ml~60mu;g/ml,while was decreased to 28.4%~35.2% at 150mu;g/ml~200mu;g/ml. CONCLUSIONS:Effect of dexamethasone showed two aspects of effect to frozen cultured human RPE ceils,that it was inhibitor at high concentration and stimulator at low concentration （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1997,13: 86-88）
Objective To examine the influence of retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) cells on antigen-specific activatedlymphocytes in vitro,and to explore the role of RPE cells in the immune privilege of the eye. Methods Co-culture systems of RPE cells with antigen-specific T lymphocyte lines and resting T lymphocytes were established in vitro．Induction of apoptosis was detected by genomic DNA electrophoresis,DNA in situ end-labelling and flow cytometry. Results RPE cells induced apoptosis in antigen-specific activated T lymphocytes. 24 hours after culture,the signs of apoptosis appeared in lymphocytes co-incubated with RPE cells．As time of co-culture went on,the number of apoptosic cells increased．Quantitative analysis of apoptosic cells showed that apoptosic cells accounted for 5.95% after 24 hours, 9.38% after 48 hours,and 17.95% after 72 hours．In contrast,RPE cells induced few apoptosis in resting T lymphocytes. Conclusions These results suggest that RPE cells possess the ability to induce the apoptosis of invading lymphocytes. This phenomenon serves as a restrain mechanism of immune response and may be of vital importance in the maintenance of immune privilege in posterior segment of eye and in the protection of eye from the damage of immunogenic inflammation. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 1999, 15: 241-244)
ObjectiveTo detect the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in immunostimulated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to seek for the supplying of the arginine, a substrate for NOS; as well as the effects of produced NO on the tight junction of RPE-J cells. MethodsRat′s RPE-J cells were treated with interferon-γ(INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and Northern and Western blotting were applied to analyze the expression of the citrulline-NO cycle enzymes and related enzymes and the effect of dexamethasone and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (camp) on the expression of iNOS. Immunocytochemistry reaction and Western blotting were used to evaluate the effect of produced NO on the tight junctions of RPE-J cells.ResultsiNOS and argininosuccinate synthetase (AS) were highly induced at both mRNA and protection levels in immunostimulated RPE cells while arginiosuccinate lyase (AL) was not induced. NO was produced by cells after stimulation with TNFα, IFNγ and LPS. The induction of iNOS mRNA and the production of NO by these immunostimulated cells was further enhanced by cAMP. NO was produced from citrulline as well as from arginine. And the produced NO impaired the tight junction of RPE-J cells, decreased the production of tight junction related protein ZO-1.ConclusionIn activated RPE-J cells, citrullinearginine recycling is important for NO production, and the produced NO weakened the function of tight junction of RPE-J cells.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:32-36)
Objective To investigate proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene expression in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and inhibition of antisense oligonucleotides(AS-OND) encoding PCNA mRNA to gene expression and proliferation of RPE cells, so as to search for new genetic therapy way for pro1iferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Methods (1) Rabbit RPE cells cultured in vitro were detected for PCNA expression by streptoavidin-biotin-enzyme complex (SABC) immunohistochemistry at several times. (2) The liposome-mediated synthetic antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-ODN) and sense oligodeoxynucleotides (S-ODN) encoding PCNA were delivered to the RPE cells at different concentrations, then PCNA expresstion were detected by immunohistochemistry. (3) Exposed to different concentrations of AS-ODN and S-ODN, growth activity and suppressive rate of RPE cells were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) methods. Results (1) PCNA were expressed in RPE cells, culmination in 48 hours of culture. (2) PCNA expression were markedly suppressed in the RPE cells treated with 0.28 and 1.12 μmol/L PCNA AS-ODN. (3) 0.28 μmol/L and 1.12 μmol/L PCNA AS-ODN significantly inhibited proliferative activity of RPE cells in a dose-dependent manner, the arrest rates of cellular growth reached 53% and 81% respectively. Conclusion AS-ODN complementary to PCNA mRNA at some concentration can sequence-specifically suppress PCNA expression in RPE cells and cellular proliferative activity, and show potential application to further experimental study for PVR genetic medication. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 231-233)
Objective To explore the expression and activation of transcription factor E2F1 in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Methods Cultured human RPE cells were divided into two groups after synchronization: one was cultured in Dulbecco′s modified Eagle′s medium (DMEM) without serum; the other was cultured in DMEM supplemented with 20% serum of newborn calf. The expressions of E2F1 protein in two groups were detected by Western blot analysis. The E2F1-DNA binding activities were measured by gel mobility-shift assay(EMSA). Results E2F1 protein of 60 000 molecular weight was detected in the nuclear extract of human RPE cells, and serum stimulation could increase its expression（P＜0.001）. EMSA exhibited the increased binding activity of E2F1 in the serum-stimulated RPE cells with DNA. Conclusions E2F1 is expressed in the nuclei of human RPE cells. Serum stimulation can increase its protein expression as well as binding activity, so as to play a regulation role of gene transcription. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 224-226)
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: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 describe cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells transdifferentiation and investigate the effects of human vitreous fluid on the morphologic and cytoskeleton changes of RPE cells in vitro. Methods Cytoskeleton characteristics in the 2nd, 5th, 8th passage of RPE cells in normal culture, which included cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were analyzed by Western blot. RPE cells were cultured in human vitreous-conditioned medium (VCM) at the concentration of 1∶4 for 6 days, morphologic changes were examined by light and electron microscopy, and cytoskeleton characteristics were analyzed by imunocytochemistry and Western blot. Results During culture in vitro, RPE cells lost epithelial characteristics and aquired fibroblast-like phenotype. The expression of CK18 was the highest at the 5th passage, and it decreased in the following passage, but α-SMA increased gradually. The morphologic transdifferentiation from epithelial to fibroblast-like cells of RPE was accelerated by VCM. Ultrastructural changes such as decreased microvilli and gradually increased rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex were found during the cultivation. CK18 produced by RPE cells decreased in VMC (P＜0.05), and α-SMA increased (P＜0.01). Conclusion Morphologic changes in epithelialmesenchymal transdifferenetiation of RPE cells are stimulated by VCM and accomplied by the shift of cytoskeleton proteins, The results imply that cells migration may be decreased and contraction may be enhanced in VCM. It may suggest that vitreous accelerates the pathogenesis of PVR and RPE cells play an important role. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 289-292)