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)
ObjectiveTo observe the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in injured model of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and the promoting effect of CTGF on migration of RPE cells.MethodsCultured monolayer-confluent human RPE cells were scraped with a trephine and a cotton stick, and set up the injured model of RPE cells with round scraped area. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization(ISH) were used to detect the expression of CTGF protein and mRNA in injured RPE cells at distinct time points after injury. The number of RPE cells migrated to injured area was measured and the effect of CTGF on migration of RPE cells and the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on the promoting process of CTGF were observed.ResultsThe results of immunohstochemistry and ISH indicated the weak positive expression of CTGF in RPE cells at the edge of scrape 6 hours after injury, and the positive expression increased gradually as time goes by after the injury. Strong positive expression of CTGF in RPE cells at the edge of scrape was found 24 and 48 hours after injury. Rebuilt human CTGF stimulated migration of RPE cells in a dose-depended manner, and DEX significantly inhabited the migration.ConclusionCTGF involves in the procedure of repair of injury of RPE cells, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of intraocular proliferative diseases such as proliferative vitreoretinaopathy.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:306-309) 
Objective To investigate the ingestion, metabolism and subcellular localization of indocyanine green (ICG) in human retinal epithelial (R PE) cells.Methods RPE cells were incubated with 0.25 mg/ml ICG under the condition of 37oC in the camera. The ICG granule and ultrastructure of RPE cells were observed under the electron microscopy after 1, 4, and 24hour incubation, and the ICG autofluorescence was detected by fluorescence microscopy after the incubation for 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. The ab sorbency (A value) of ICG solution was measured at 805 nm with ultraviol et/v isible specrtrometer. The standard curve of concentration of ICG was drawn and the related equation of concentration of ICG and the A value was calculated. After being incubated for 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively, the A value of supernatant fluid was calculated according to the equation. Aft er incubated with ICG for 24 hours, one sample was observed under electron microscope and fluorescence microscope per week to evaluate the metabolizable period of ICG .Results ICG granules were distributed evenly after entering the RPE cells. After incubated with 0.25 mg/ml ICG for 24 hours, no significant change of the ultrastructure of the RPE cells was found. ICG granules accu mulated in the cells as the time goes by and reached the peak after 24 hours, and then they decreased because of the slowdown of the metabolism. Few ICG was still remained in the cells 1 week later Conclusions RPE cells may take in ICG actively. ICG metabolizable period in RPE cells is long, which may be one of the mechanisms of the toxicity of ICG to the retina in the vitreous operation.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2004,20:179-181)
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 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)
PURPOSE:To establish methods for cryopreservation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs)and cell culture from thawing of frozen cells. METHODS:Primary cultured RPEs or its first or second passages,added with 10 dimetbylsulfoxide,were kept in --20℃ for 1 to 2 hours,and then further froze to -40~C over night before being placed in liquid nitrogen. The frozen cells were thawed in 60℃ within 2 minutes. Trypan blue staining and immunocytochemical staining with anti-human keratin were performed for cell viability and differentiation. The growth curve was also determined by calculating the total number of cells/well/day. RESULTS:The viable rate from frozen RPEs was 90%. No differences were observed for growth activity between cultures from frozen cells and controls. The cells were positive with anti-human keratin staining. The logarithmic growth phase was during I to 4 days and the doubling time yeas 1.55 days. CONCLUSION: Cryopreservation of RPEs in liquid nitrogen can maintain biological activities of cells with normal growth and features after thaw- ing. This will provide cell lines for in vitro experiments and possibly for cell banks for RPE transplantation for some fundus diseases. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1997,13:157-159)
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 observe the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)and bcl-2 of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells(RPE). Methods SABC techniques were applied for immunocytochemical staining of cultured RPE with mouse anti-human PCNA monoclonal antibody and rabbit antihuman bcl-2 antibodies. Results 31.2% and 50.6% cultured cells were positive to anti-human PCNA at 24h and 48h after seeding,respectively.The positive staining was mottled in the nucleus.positive staining for bcl was seen in 76%to 90% cells as fine granules scattered within the cytoplasm. Conclusion One half of cultured RPE expressed PCNA,indicating that the cells were in phase S of the cell cycle.Positive staining for bcl-2 appeared in much more RPE cells.These biological markers may be associated with the growth activity of cultured RPE. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:26-28)
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)
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.