STUDIES OF THE BIOREGULATORY ASPECTS OF THE RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL CELL

视网膜色素上皮（RPE）细胞在视网膜色素变性中起基础作用。 维持神经系统的结构和生理完整性， 视网膜。 我们已经在体外分离和增殖RPE细胞， 开发了针对人RPE细胞的单克隆抗体。 我们 使用这些技术和试剂来评估分子，生物化学， 和RPE细胞的生物学特性。 由于单克隆抗体检测仅存在于RPE上的表位， 细胞，他们提供了一个独特的机会，以评估各种方面 RPE细胞的发育和功能。 RPE细胞发育的研究 表明表位只有在细胞开始 终末分化 此外，关于RPE迁移的研究表明， 这些抗体在视网膜前膜评价中的价值 阵 RPE表位是一个67 kD的蛋白质，与RPE表位密切相关。 与微粒体膜的接触 一个cDNA克隆， 与数据库中的其他序列不匹配的蛋白质。 研究正在进行中，以在各种环境中繁殖和移植RPE细胞。 动物 我们已经在体外繁殖了人RPE细胞，并评估了它们的增殖能力。 对细胞因子激活的反应能力。 RPE细胞通过死亡，增殖， 迁移，丧失吞噬功能，表达主要 组织相容性复合体（MHC）II类抗原，并呈递 T淋巴细胞抗原。 在这些研究中获得的技术和试剂 研究使我们能够评估参与异常的机制 RPE细胞的反应。 此外，它们还提供了一个框架， 评估RPE细胞移植。

The retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell plays a basic role in maintaining the structural and physiological integrity of the neural retina. We have isolated and propagated RPE cells in vitro and have developed monoclonal antibodies directed against human RPE cells. We are using these techniques and reagents to evaluate molecular, biochemical, and biological properties of the RPE cells. Since the monoclonal antibodies detect epitopes present solely on RPE cells, they provide a unique opportunity to evaluate a variety of aspects of RPE cell development and function. Studies on RPE cell development indicate that the epitopes appear only after the cells have begun terminal differentiation. Moreover, studies on RPE migration demonstrate the value of these antibodies in evaluating epiretinal membrane formation. The RPE epitope is a 67 kD protein that is closely associated with the microsomal membrane. A cDNA clone that has been isolated codes for a protein which does not match any other sequences in the data bases. Studies are in progress to propagate and transplant RPE cells in various animals. We have propagated human RPE cells in vitro and evaluated their ability to respond to cytokine activation. RPE cells respond to retinal aberrations by dying, proliferating, migrating, losing phagocytic function, expressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-II antigens, and presenting antigens to T lymphocytes. The techniques and reagents obtained in these studies allow us to evaluate the mechanisms involved in aberrant responses of RPE cells. Moreover, they provide a framework for evaluating RPE cell transplantation.