STUDIES OF THE BIOREGULATORY ASPECTS OF THE RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL CELL

视网膜色素上皮(RPE)细胞在维持 他 神经视网膜的结构和生理完整性。我们有Isola D 并在体外培养RPE细胞，并研制出了单抗 直接针对人类RPE细胞。RPE表位是一个67 kDa的蛋白质， 与微粒体膜密切相关。互补性 已分离出编码一种蛋白的脱氧核糖核酸(CDNAs)克隆 这与数据库中的任何其他序列都不匹配。我们正在使用 这些技术和试剂用于评估分子、生化和 RPE细胞的生物学特性。 我们已经在体外培养了人RPE细胞，并评估了它们的能力 对细胞因子的激活做出反应。转化生长因子-β (转化生长因子-β)是一种强大的细胞因子，可改变多种细胞功能 。 这种细胞因子已经在视网膜内被确认。我们发现转化生长因子-β 诱导基因表达和产生血红素加氧酶(HO-1)。自.以来 HO-1是一种在富含O2的环境中防止氧化损伤的保护剂 环境中，RPE产生的这种蛋白质可能会保护视网膜免受 氧化损伤。 繁殖和移植RPE细胞的研究也在进行中 各种各样的动物。我们已经建立了移植物排斥反应模型 将人RPE细胞移植到大鼠视网膜。这些研究 证明免疫反应的细胞和体液两个方面 被激活以拒绝RPE细胞移植。这些研究提供了 评价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.