STUDIES OF THE BIOREGULATORY ASPECTS OF THE RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL CELL

视网膜色素上皮（RPE）细胞在维持视网膜色素变性中起着基础作用。 他 神经视网膜的结构和生理完整性。 我们有伊索拉 D 并在体外增殖RPE细胞， 针对人RPE细胞。 RPE表位是一种67 kDa蛋白， 与微粒体膜密切相关。 互补 编码蛋白质的脱氧核糖核酸（cDNA）克隆已被分离出来 与数据库中的任何序列都不匹配 我们正在使用 这些技术和试剂，以评估分子，生物化学， RPE细胞的生物学特性。 我们已经在体外繁殖了人RPE细胞，并评估了它们的能力， 对细胞因子激活有反应。转化生长因子-β TGF-β是一种有效的细胞因子，可调节多种细胞功能。 . 这种细胞因子已经在视网膜内被鉴定。我们发现TGF-β 诱导血红素加氧酶（HO-1）的基因表达和产生。 以来 HO-1是一种在富氧环境中抗氧化损伤的保护剂， 在环境中，RPE产生这种蛋白质可以保护视网膜免受 氧化损伤 研究也在进行中，以在哺乳动物中繁殖和移植RPE细胞。 各种动物。 我们建立了一个移植排斥模型， 将人RPE细胞移植到大鼠视网膜中。 这些研究 证明了免疫反应的细胞和体液方面 会被激活拒绝视网膜色素上皮细胞移植 这些研究提供了 评估RPE细胞中细胞因子和免疫反应性的框架 移植

The retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell plays a basic role in maintaining he structural and physiological integrity of the neural retina. We have isola d and propagated RPE cells in vitro and have developed monoclonal antibodies directed against human RPE cells. The RPE epitope is a 67 kDa protein that is closely associated with the microsomal membrane. A complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) clone has been isolated that codes for a prote that does not match any other sequences in the databases. We are using these techniques and reagents to evaluate molecular, biochemical, and biological properties of the RPE cells. We have propagated human RPE cells in vitro and evaluated their ability to respond to cytokine activation. Transforming growth factor - beta (TGF-beta) is a potent cytokine that modifies a variety of cellular functio . This cytokine has been identified within the retina. We found that TGF-beta induces gene expression and production of Heme oxygenase (HO-1). Since HO-1 is a protective agent against oxidative damage in an O2 rich environment, RPE production of this protein may protect the retina against oxidative damage. Studies are also in progress to propagate and transplant RPE cells in various animals. We have established a graft rejection model by transplanting human RPE cells into the rat retina. These studies demonstrate that both cellular and humoral aspects of the immune response are activated to reject RPE cell transplants. These studies provide the framework to evaluate cytokines and immune reactivity in RPE cell transplantation.