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)