Objective To explore a better method in obtaining iris pigment epithelium(IPE) specimen for autologous transplantation in rabbits． Methods IPE was obtained from 20 black rabbits with method A，i.e.surgical peripheral iridectomy at 12:00 position obtaining a triangle iris tissue with the hemline of 4-5 mm in left eyes，and method B,i.e.surgical peripheral iridectomy at 11:00 and 1:00 positions obtaining two triangle iris tissues with the hemlines of 2-2.5 mm in right eyes . The IP E cells were isolated precisely with enzyme microdissection-enzyme isolation method, cultured in vitro, observed with light and electronic microscope, and ident ified with immunocytochemical staining.ResultsThe success ra te of cells culture were 65% for method A and 95% for method B. After 3-4 generations of culturing，the amount of IPE cells was enough for transplantation, and most of the functions of primary clutured IPE cells were kept still. Viability of IPE cells was 85%-93%. Conclusion The success rate of cells culture for method B is higher than that for method A. The third generation of cultured cells is available for autologous transplantation.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：201-268)
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 It has been shown that pigment epitheliumderived factor (PEDF) is an effective anti-apoptosis agent on several kinds of cells of the central nervous system.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PEDF on pressure induced retinal ischemia in a rat model. Methods Retinal ischemia was induced by increasing the intraocular pressure to 110 mm Hg for 45 minutes via an intracameral catheter.Ten microlit ers (0.1 mu;g/mu;l) PEDF was injected into the vitreous of 4 eyes of each group im mediately after reperfusion and 4 additional eyes received only normal saline as vehicle controls.The animals were euthanized at 2 or 7 days after reperfusion.T he effect of PEDF on retinal degeneration was assessed by measuring the thicknes s of the inner retinal layers (MTIRL) and counting the retinal ganglion cells (R GC) on plastic embedded retinal sections. Results The MTIRL and the RGC counting in eyes treated with intravitreal PEDF were significantly higher than those in vehicle controls (118.1plusmn;5.0) mu;m vs(94.9plusmn;3.0) mu;m (Plt;0.05);(6.0plusmn;1.0) cells/100 mu;m vs (4.5 plusmn;0.5) cells/100 mu;m (Plt;0.05) 7 days after reperfusion,respectively． Conclusion Intravitreal administration of PEDF can ameliorate an ischemiareperfusion retinal injury and may be useful to prevent neuronal degeneration in the inner retina. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2001,17:138-140)
Objective To investigate the modulating effect of transforming growth factor beta;2 (TGFbeta;2) and extracellular matrix (ECM) on the transdifferentiation of human fetal RPE (hfRPE) cells into myofibroblast-like cells , and to determine the mechanism of signal transduction. Methods hfRPE cells were cultured on ECM coated or uncoated petri dish with or witho ut TGFbeta;2 in the medium. The expression of alpha;-smooth muscle actin (alpha;-SMA) were detected by immunocytochemistry examination, flow cytometry and Western blotting via calphostin C, genistein, PD98059, and Wortmannin. Results After cultured on ECM coated petri dish with TGFbeta;2 in the medium,there were obvious morphological changes of hfRPE cells including cellular elongating and appearing of actin microfilaments. The results of flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry examination showed that expression of alpha;-SMA obviously increased after TGFbeta;2 was added in the medium in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with which of hfRPE cells cultured on the uncoated surface of culture plates, the total mean fluore scence intensity (TMFI) of hfRPE cells cultured on FN-coated surface increased (38.01plusmn;1.14)% when the stimulation concentration of TGFbeta;2 was 50ng/ml(Plt;0.05). Western blotting further confirmed the effects. The changes mentioned above could be inhibited mostly by protein kinase C (PKC) and calphostin C (10 nmol/L)(Plt;0.01). Conclusion TGFbeta;2 may induce the transdifferentiation of hfRPE cells into myofibroblast-like cells in a dose dependent manner, which could be intensified by FN. These mediated effects of TGFbeta;2 and ECM may act via the PKC signal transduction pathway. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 328-332)
Objective To investigate the features of ocular fundus of retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in Chinese patients more than 50. Methods The clinical data of 31 continuous patients (34 eyes) with PED diagnosed by ocular fundus photochromy, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography ( ICGA ) from Oct, 2001 to Aug, 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. Results In 34 eyes with PED, the results of FFA showed serous PED in 18 (52.9%), hemorrhagic PED in 8 (23.5%), and serosanguineous PED in 8 (23.5%); the results of ICGA revealed PED associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in 12 (35.3%), PED associated with ploypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in 17 (50.0%), PED associated with both CNV and PCV in 1 (2.9%), and avascular PED in 4 (11.8%). Conclusions PED in Chinese patients more than 50 can be associated with CNV, PCV or other avascular diseases, and PCV is the most common intercurrent choroidal vascular disease. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 224-227)
Objective To investigate the effects of genistein with different concentration on proliferation and apoptosis of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro. Methods The effect of genistein with the concentration of 5，10，25，50，75，and 100 mg·L-1on the proliferation of cultured RPE was examined by tetrazolium salt (MTT) assay and AgNORs staining. The cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) methods, in the mean time, the morphologic changes of cell apoptosis were observed by light microscopy and transmission electronic microscopy, the results of which were compared with the normal RPE cells. Results Genistein with the concentration of 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg·L-1had a dose-dependent and time-dependent antiproliferative effects on RPE cells with the inhibitory rate of 12.0%-64.6% (P＜0.05). The results of AgNORs staining showed that the number of AgNORs in the nucleolus decreased when treated by genistein. In TUNEL staining, the median of percent of apoptotic RPE cells was 7.6%, 9.8%, 13.7% when treated with 50 mg·L-1genistein, 10.3%, 16.4%, 23.4% when treated with 75 mg·L-1genistein, and 15.4%, 21.2%, 35.8% when treated with 100 m g·L-1genistein respectively for 24, 48, and 72 hours. After the treatme nt with 50 mg·L-1genistein for 48 hours, the apoptosis in the nucleolus of RPE cells was found. Conclusions Genistein with different concentrations has a dose-dependent and time-dependent antiproliferative effect on RPE cells. Genistein can induce the apoptosis of RPE cells when it reaches a certain extent of concentration. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：241-244)
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)
Purpose To identify and quantitatively evaluate age-related changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and underlying Bruch is membrane and choroid in donor human eyes. Methods 36unpaired human eyes of varying age (3-39 years) from Caucasian donors were supplied by Manchester Eye Bank (UK) or National Disease Research Interchange (Philadephia,USA).Modified Masson is trichrome staining was used to illustrate age-related changes in RPE cell, Bruch is membrane thickness, and density of choriocapillaries and thickness of the choroid. Data were assessed using computer-aided quantitative morphometric analysis method. ResultsThe thickness of Bruch is membrane increased with age while there is a change in morphology of RPE cells including a decrease in number and RPE cell thickening with age. RPE cells decreased at a rate of 8 cells/mm2 middot; year, RPE cell height and thickness of Bruch is membrane increased at rates of 0.01(mu;m/year) and 0.02 (mu;m/year) respectively. The luminal area of choriocapillaries and the thickness of choroid showed no close relation with age. Conclusion RPE cell loss and thickening of Bruch is membrane and RPE cells may be the earlier and primary alteration with age. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2000,16:236-239)
Objective To observe the characteristics of fundus autofluorescence （AF） distribution at the posterior pole in normal subjects. Methods Seventy-nine normal subjects （156 eyes）were studied. Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO) HRA2 was used to obtain the AF average image at the posterior pole. The distance was calibrated by Digimizer image analysis system. With umbo as the center, the macula was divided into foveola, fovea, parafovea and perifovea areas which with the radius 175, 750, 1250 and 2750 mu;m respectively. Each area was further divided into inferior, superior, temporal and nasal quadrants by two radial lines angle of 90deg;, except for foveola. The AF intensity in four quadrants of different macular regions and optic disc were measured. The AF intensity in vertical and horizontal direction of umbo was also measured. Then the effects of age, eyes, and gender on AF intensity in four quadrants of different macular regions were analyzed. Results There were statistically significant differences in AF intensity among optic disc and four quadrants of macular regions （F=528.648, P＜0.05）. AF distribution was V-type in vertical direction and M-type in horizontal direction. There were statistically significant differences between age groups in foveola, inferior parafovea, temporal parafovea, inferior perifovea, superior perifovea and temporal perifovea （P＜0.01）. There were no statistically significant differences between the two eyes （P＞0.05）. Between genders group, there were statistically significant differences in foveola, superior fovea, inferior fovea, nasal fovea and temporal perifovea （P＜0.05）; no statistically significant differences in the other quadrants （P＞0.05）. Conclusions The distribution of AF intensity is inhomogeneous in macular regions and four quadrants of each region in normal subjects. AF intensity increases with aging. AF distribution is symmetrical in both eyes. There is probably no correlation between gender and AF intensity distribution.
Objective To assess the protective effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) on human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells injured by light. Methods Cultured human RPE cells were exposed to light for 12 hours, and the culture was stopped 24 hours later. The 3(4,5dimethylthiazole2y1)2,5diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay and annexin V flunorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodium labeling and flow cytometry were used to assess the effects of EPO with different concentration on the cellular viability and apoptosis of human RPE cells. The protective effect and mechanism of EPO on RPE cells injured by light was detected by adding AG490. Results EPO, especially with the concentration of 40 IU/ml, obviously increased the cellular viability of RPE cells and apparently decrease the cellular apoptosis induced by light injury. After adding AG490, the effects of EPO on cellular viability and apoptosis were inhibited. Conclusion It is suggested that EPO can protect the human RPE cells from lightinduced injures, and its protective mechanism works after the combination of EPO and its receptor.