ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of L-Phenylalanine on the efficiency of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell derivation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and explore the underlying mechanisms. MethodsH1 hESCs were routinely cultured with mTeSR medium and divided into control and experimental groups. When cells reached over-confluence, spontaneous differentiation was triggered using 10% KSR differentiation medium without bFGF. L-Phenylalanine (0.2 mmol/L) was supplemented in the experimental group from the 3rd week. The expression of RPE markers and Wnt signaling components in the two groups was detected by Real time-RCR, Western blot and Flow cytometry analyses. Purified hESC-RPE cells and PBS were injected into the subretinal space of sodium iodine-induced retinal degeneration rats separately. Retinal function was assessed by ERG 6 weeks after the transplantation. ResultsOn the 7th week, much more pigment cell clumps appeared in the experimental group compared to the control group. Within these areas there were monolayer hexagonal RPE cells full of pigment granules. The experimental group showed significantly higher expression of Pax6, MITF, Tyrosinase, RPE65, Wnt3a, Lef1 and Tcf7 genes than the control group (P < 0.01). Higher expression level of MITF and RPE65 proteins and higher percentage of RPE65 (+) cells (P < 0.01) were detected in the experimental group. 6 weeks after sub-retinal transplantation of hESC-RPE cells, the amplitudes of a-b wave in the transplanted eyes were significantly higher than those in the control eyes (P < 0.01) at the stimulus intensity of 3.0 cd·s/m2. ConclusionsL-Phenylalanine effectively promoted the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial cells, and its impacts on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may partially explain the underlying mechanisms. Subretinal transplantation of hESC-RPE remarkably improved the retinal functions of retinal degenerative animal models.
Objective To inverstingate the effect of perfluorohexyloctane(F6H8)to the retina of rabbit eyes. Methods Fifteen vitrectomized New Zealand white rabbits were injectedF6H8(experiment group,12 rabbits ) and BSS(control group,3 rabbits) into vitreous cavity.Slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy were performed pre- and postoperatively in all the eyes.Histopathological examination was done after the rabbits were sacrificed at the end of the study. Results A large clear balb was formed after intravitreal injection of theF6H8 in the vitreous was injected and no retinal detachment and cataract were found.The OPL was edematous and then thinned out in 4th week in experimental group.Degenerating cells was found in inner and outer nuclear layers.Cellular vaculoar degeneration was present in TEM. ConclusionF6H8 in vitreous cavity may cause significant side effects on retina,we could not recommend it to be used as an intraocular temponade.
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 investigate the effect of inducible nitric oxide synth ase (iNOS) or cyclooxygenase－2 (COX－2) on retinal neovascularization and its possible mechanism in oxygen－induced retinopathy （OIR） mouse model. Methods Retinal neovascularization was induced by oxygen with different concentration. The expression of iNOS, COX－2, matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP－2) and vascular end othelial growth factor (VEGF) in the retinae of experimental animals were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, realtime polymerase chain reaction and western blotting technologies. Results The inhibition of COX－2 or iNOS obviously attenuated retinal neovascularization and decreased the expression of VEGF and MMP－2. The iNOS inhibition decreased COX－2 expression, and vice versa. Conclusions COX－2 and iNOS may play a role in retinal neovascularization in OIR mouse model, which may act by regulating the expression of VEGF and MMP－2.
Objective To observe the effect of resveratrol on multidrug resistance (MDR) in human retinoblastoma cells treated. Methods RB cells in logarithmic growth phase were divided into experimental group and control group. RB cells in experimental group were cultured with different concentrations of resveratrol (6.25, 12.50, 25.00, 50.00, 100.00 mu;mol/L) for 24 and 48 hours. The proliferation (absorbance value) was assayed using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). RB cells were cultured with 50.00 mu;mol/L resveratrol for 48 hours. The expressions of MDR-1, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)、multidrug resistance-associated protein-1 (MRP-1), glutathione-S-transferases-pi; (GST-pi;) were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. The RB cells of the control group were cultured with 0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide. Results Compared with the control group, the absorbance value decreased in experimental groups (6.25, 12.50, 25.00, 50.00 mu;mol/L) in a dose dependent manner (F=4.782，P＜0.05). The difference of absorbance value between 50.00 and 100.00 mu;mol/L experimental groups was not significant (F=6.351,P＞0.05). Compared with the control group, the mRNA (t=9.170, 5.758, 4.152, 4.638) and protein (t=3.848, 5.955, 4.541, 3.514) expression levels of MDR-1, MRP1, COX-2, and GST-pi; decreased in the experimental group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Resveratrol can down-regulate the expression of MDR in RB cells.
Objective To investigate the influence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist bevacizumab on the growth of human choroidal melanoma (CM) OCM-1 cell xenografts in nude mice, and to explore the probable mechanism.Methods OCM-1 cells were subcutaneously implanted on 18 nude mice to establish ectopic model of human CM. The nude mice with the tumor of 5 mm in diameter were randomly divided into three groups: untreated group (group A), normal saline （NS） group (group B), drug treated group (group C). Bevacizumab was intraperitoneally injected for 14 consecutive days in group C, and the same volume of NS was used at a same way in group B. The volume and weight of implanted tumor as well as inhibitory rates of drug on tumor were calculated, ki67 and survivin proteins were measured with immunohistochemistry, and the mRNA expression of VEGF and survivin were assessed by RT-PCR.Results The volume and weight of tumor was (598.86plusmn;321.81) mm3, (0.66plusmn;0.15) g; (1 715.15plusmn;278.16) mm3, (1.54plusmn;0.39) g and (1 750.23plusmn;206.36) mm3, (1.54plusmn;0.31) g in groups C, A and B, respectively. There were significant differences between group C and A (F=34.53, P=0.00) and group C and group B (F=8.69, P=0.01). The inhibitory rate of these three groups were 57.14%, 5.31%, 6.25%, respectively, and the proliferation index (PI) of ki67 in these three groups were (51.85plusmn;1.32)%, (46.30plusmn;1.39)%, (27.90plusmn;0.90)%, respectively, there were significant differences in ki67 PI between C group and A or B group (H=15.17, P=0.00). The expression of survivin mRNA was (0.49plusmn;0.02), (0.82plusmn;0.05) and (0.61plusmn;0.05) in groupss C, A and B, respectively, there were significant differences between C group and A or B group (F=15.17, P＜0.05) . The expression of VEGF mRNA was (0.32plusmn;0.08), (0.73plusmn;0.07), (0.80plusmn;0.04) in groups C, A and B, significant difference was found between group C and A or B group (F=12.05，P＜0.05). Conclusion Bevacizumab can inhibit the growth of human CM in nude mice probably by inhibiting the activity of VEGF and downregulating survivin expression of the tumor as well as inhibiting the growth of the tumor.
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of betaxolol on optic nerves after experimental retinal ischemia-reperfused injury.MethodsRetinal ischemia was induced in SD rats by increasing intraocular pressure through intracameral infusion. Sixty-eight rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control (eight rats), 0.25% betaxolol treatment (thirty rats) and saline control group (thirty rats). The latter two groups were subdivided into group 1 day, 3 and 7 days after reperfusion, respectively, with 10 rats in each group. Betaxolol and normal saline was applied to the right eyes of the rats in the treatment group and to the ones in normal saline control group, respectively. The amplitude of bwave of electron retinograph (ERG) was observed and the histological and ultrastructural changes were detected by light and electron microscopy. The expression of neural nitrogen oxide synthase (nNOS) was detected by immunohistochemistry. The content of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured by spectrophotometer.ResultsBegan from the first day after reperfusion, in saline control group, the amplitudes of ERG bwave reduced continuously, the histopathological damages of retina were aggravating, the expression of nNOS increased, MDA level increased and SOD level decreased persistently, which significantly differed from the normal control group （P＜0.01）; in contrast to the saline control group, the amplitudes of bwave of ERG in betaxolol treatment group after reperfusion got right obviously（P＜0.01）, with alleviated histopathological damages, decreased nNOS positive neurons（P＜0.01）, decreased MDA content（P＜0.01）, and increased SOD activity （P＜0.01）, in which no statistical significance of nNOS positive neurons was found between the treatment group and normal control group （P＞0.01）. ConclusionBetaxolol, by reducing intracellular overfreight ofCa2+, inhibiting production of NO and elevating the ability of anti-oxidation in rat retina, can protect retinal neurons from ischemiareperfused injury.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:249-252)