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Biomedical subjects

G J Jaffe

Publications and source records attributed to G J Jaffe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Binding, coupling, and mRNA subtype heterogeneity of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in cultured human RPE.

In retinal pigment epithelium, apically applied epinephrine changes the conductance of specific ions which subsequently affects the membrane voltage and stimulates transepithelial fluid transport. In this investigation, myo-[3H]inositol radiotracer studies, radioligand binding with [125I]HEAT, and ribonuclease protection assays were performed to examine the coupling of this receptor to phosphoinositide hydrolysis and the specific mRNA subtypes expressed in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells. After labeling second to sixth passage cells with 3-muCi myo-[3H]inositol for 24 hr, epinephrine caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in [3H]inositol phosphate products (EC50 of 0.7 microM). This stimulation was antagonized by prazosin but not by propranolol. The effect of epinephrine was potentiated by the presence of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, pargyline (10 microM). Pertussis toxin (1 microgram per well) attenuated the stimulatory effect of epinephrine. In the radioligand binding assays, [125I]HEAT binding sites varied among different cell lines, with a range of 44 to 200 fmol (mg protein)-1. Using a ribonuclease protection assay, alpha 1D and alpha 1B, but not alpha 1C, adrenergic mRNA subtypes were detected in cultured human cells. Collectively, these results show that the catecholamines act on a potentially heterogeneous population of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors coupled to phospholipase C by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein.

Cells, Cultured

Monocyte-induced cytokine expression in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Monocytes and retinal pigment epithelial cells are intimately associated in membranes of eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy and in certain types of uveitis. The goal of this study was to determine whether monocytes modulate cytokine expression in retinal pigment epithelial cells, and if so, to identify the monocyte products responsible for this effect. Cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells were exposed to varying concentrations of monocyte-conditioned medium from unstimulated human monocytes for 1-48 hr, or from monocytes prestimulated with lipopolysaccharide. mRNA expression of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, melanoma growth stimulating activity/gro alpha and gamma, macrophage colony stimulating factor, transforming growth factor-beta 2, basic fibroblast growth factor and activin beta A chain was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Protein secretion of selected cytokines, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, macrophage colony stimulating factor and transforming growth factor-beta 2 was measured in RPE-conditioned medium by ELISA. Retinal pigment epithelial cells constitutively expressed mRNA for interleukin-6, macrophage colony stimulating factor, transforming growth factor-beta 2, basic fibroblast growth factor and activin beta A chain. Interleukin-1 beta, melanoma growth stimulating activity/gro alpha and gamma and interleukin-8 were not expressed under basal conditions. Stimulated monocyte-conditioned medium markedly induced mRNA of all cytokines except basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta 2 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Unstimulated monocyte-conditioned medium was a less potent inducing agent, but still enhanced mRNA expression of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and melanoma growth stimulating activity/gro alpha. Stimulated monocyte-conditioned medium also induced a time-dependent increase in interleukin-6, Interleukin-8, macrophage colony stimulation factor and transforming growth factor-beta 2, but not interleukin-1 beta protein secretion (p < 0.05 for all time points). Neutralizing antibodies to interleukin-1 beta, or tumour necrosis factor alpha, but not interleukin-1 alpha, significantly reduced cytokine mRNA expression induced by stimulated monocyte-conditioned medium. The combination of all three neutralizing antibodies almost entirely eliminated monocyte-induced mRNA expression and protein production of all cytokines studied. Activated monocytes secrete a heterogeneous mixture of products that together strongly induce expression of multiple cytokines in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Most if not all of the inducing effect can be accounted for by interleukin-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor alpha. Because cytokines have been implicated in proliferative vitreoretinopathy and uveitis, monocyte-mediated cytokine expression by RPE cells may serve to initiate and perpetuate these diseases.

Antibodies

Condensation on the posterior surface of silicone intraocular lenses during fluid-air exchange.

PURPOSE: Posterior chamber foldable silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in patients undergoing a pars plana vitrectomy with fluid-air exchange. The authors report an important limitation of foldable silicone IOLs during fluid-air exchanges in pars plana vitrectomies. METHODS: The charts of 18 pseudophakic patients with foldable silicone IOLs who underwent vitrectomy with fluid-air exchange by the authors were reviewed. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of condensation during fluid-air exchange between the group of patients with a capsulotomy versus those that did not have a capsulotomy (P = 0.003). Condensation limiting the view of the retina occurred during fluid-air exchange in 11 of 11 of the patients with foldable silicone lenses and a capsulotomy. Attempts to remove the condensation with a soft-tipped aspiration cannula resulted in limited view of the retina for 1 to 2 minutes in 6 of 11 patients. Use of a thin film of silicone oil restored the view in one patient. In the presence of an intact posterior capsule, condensation did not occur on identical foldable silicone IOLs in seven of seven patients. CONCLUSION: Recognition of the presence of a foldable silicone lens is important when an air-fluid exchange is anticipated. If a capsulotomy is present, the surgeon must be aware that condensation may limit the view of the retina severely during and after surgery. Intraoperatively, the view of the retina usually can be restored in short surgeries by wiping the posterior lens surface with a soft-tipped cannula, and in more complex surgeries by applying a thin film of silicone oil on the posterior surface of the lens.

Cataract Extraction

Removal of optic disc stalks during diabetic vitrectomy.

BACKGROUND: The morphologic features and clinical consequences of removing residual optic disc stalks during vitrectomy for complications of diabetic retinopathy have not been described. METHODS: Twenty-four residual optic disc stalks that were surgically removed from eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and dense nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage and/or traction retinal detachment were studied histologically using conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining as well as a modified Glees staining technique. RESULTS: Histologic examination demonstrated that 79% of the specimens consisted of vascularized glial tissue with an infiltrate of mononuclear cells and 21% consisted of glial membranes devoid of vasculature. Axons were identified in 33% of all tissues studied. Intra-operative hemorrhage occurred in three eyes with strongly adherent optic disc stalks and was controlled with transient elevation of the intraocular pressure. The presence of axons in the removed optic disc stalks was not correlated with a decreased final postoperative visual acuity (median time to follow-up 21 months). CONCLUSIONS: Residual optic disc stalks removed during vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy frequently contained axons. The presence of axons does not portend an unfavorable postoperative visual outcome.

Adult

Vitrectomy for vitreomacular traction syndrome with macular detachment.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics of the vitreomacular traction syndrome with macular detachment and to report our surgical experience with this condition. METHODS: A retrospective chart and photographic review was performed on nine patients (nine eyes) who had a symptomatic decrease in visual acuity from a macular traction retinal detachment caused by vitreomacular traction syndrome. Vitrectomy was performed in each eye to reattach the retina. RESULTS: Intraoperative observation confirmed partial posterior vitreous separation with adherence of the posterior hyaloid to the detached retina and separation of the posterior hyaloid from the attached retina. After surgery the macula was reattached in seven eyes (78%). Visual acuity was improved in four eyes, stable in four eyes, and worse in one eye. CONCLUSION: Macular detachment may occur secondary to vitreomacular traction syndrome. Although the retina may be reattached surgically in these cases, visual improvement may be limited by chronic detachment, premacular fibrosis, cystoid macular edema, or macular schisis.

Aged

Intravitreal sustained-release dexamethasone device in the treatment of experimental uveitis.

PURPOSE: Uveitis often runs a chronic course requiring long-term therapy. Topical treatment results in poor intravitreal penetration, and systemic therapy is associated with significant side effects. The authors investigated whether an intravitreal sustained-release dexamethasone device was effective in the treatment of severe panuveitis in a rabbit model. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were immunized twice subcutaneously with 10 mg of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra antigen. Twelve days later, sustained-release dexamethasone devices were implanted into the vitreous of the right eye of 10 rabbits. Ten control rabbits received a sham device. One day later, rabbits were challenged with an intravitreal injection of 33 micrograms of antigen. Three animals in each group were sacrificed on post-challenge days 7 and 13 for aqueous white blood cell (WBC) count, protein determination, and histologic examination. To simulate chronic inflammation with exacerbations, the eight remaining eyes were rechallenged with intravitreal antigen on day 15 and were observed for 3 1/2 months. Inflammation was graded clinically by two masked observers. Retinal function was evaluated by electroretinography (ERG). Light microscopy was used to evaluate the eyes histopathologically. The amount of residual drug in the devices was measured on day 13 and at the end of the experiment. RESULTS: By all clinical criteria measured--anterior chamber cells, flare, and vitreous opacity--treated eyes had significantly less inflammation than untreated eyes (P < 0.05). Clinical examination correlated well with objective data. Both protein concentration (P < 0.05) and aqueous WBCs (P < 0.02) were approximately 10-fold higher, and ERGs were significantly depressed (P < 0.05) in untreated eyes compared to treated eyes. Histopathologic examination showed marked inflammation and tissue disorganization in the untreated compared to the treated eyes. After antigen rechallenge, inflammation in experimental eyes was still less than in control eyes. Late complications such as corneal neovascularization, cataract, and hypotony were also less in the treated eyes than in the untreated eyes. At the end of the experiment (99 days after device implantation), approximately 30% of drug remained in the devices. CONCLUSIONS: The intravitreal sustained-release dexamethasone device is highly effective in suppressing inflammation and preventing complications after two episodes of experimental uveitis in a rabbit model for at least 3 1/2 months. This device may be useful in the management of patients with severe chronic posterior uveitis who cannot tolerate systemic or periocular therapy.

Animals

Treatment and pathogenesis of traumatic chorioretinal rupture (sclopetaria).

Eight eyes (seven patients) with traumatic chorioretinal rupture (sclopetaria) from severe ocular trauma were examined. All seven patients were referred with diagnoses of retinal detachment, giant retinal tear, or ruptured globe. Instead, all eyes had large, peripheral, full-thickness breaks of the choroid and retina without retinal detachment. Seven of eight eyes were initially managed by observation only; one eye was treated with a scleral buckling procedure. The retina remained attached in all eyes for at least six months. Late retinal detachment (more than one year after initial injury) occurred in two eyes because of retinal breaks at a site distant from the original chorioretinal rupture. Two eyes later developed vitreous hemorrhage associated with posterior vitreous detachment and one of these eyes required vitrectomy to clear the visual axis. The pathogenesis of sclopetaria appears to be mechanical disruption and retraction of tissue rather than acute tissue dissolution. The risk of acute retinal detachment is low. We recommend nonsurgical management for the initial treatment of these patients, with continued observation for complications that may later occur.

Adolescent

Inhibition of proliferating lens epithelium with antitransferrin receptor immunotoxin.

We investigated the effect of an antitransferrin receptor immunotoxin (454A12-rRA) on proliferating human and baboon lens epithelium in vitro. Human and baboon lens epithelial cells grown in modified TC-199 medium at 35 degrees Celsius in 7% CO2 were seeded in 24 well plates at a density of 17,500 cells/ml to 40,000 cells/ml. The cells were exposed to various concentrations of 454A12-rRA for seven days. The sensitivity of proliferating human lens epithelium to 454A12-rRA was dependent on the dose, with a 60% to 70% reduction in cell counts at immunotoxin concentrations of 100 ng/ml and above. The immunotoxin had no significant effect on baboon lens epithelium in vitro, which suggests that it is specific for human tissue. By preventing the proliferation of human lens epithelial cells, immunotoxin 454A12-rRA may be useful in the management of posterior capsule opacification after planned extracapsular cataract surgery.

Animals

Review: implants.

An implantable sustained release device has been developed to treat chronic disorders of the eye. The device, consisting of a central core of drug encased in layers of permeable and impermeable polymers, can be implanted subconjunctivally or intravitreally. This technique was used to develop a ganciclovir device which, when implanted into the vitreous, maintains therapeutic vitreous levels of drug for 8 months. Initial studies in patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis indicate that this treatment may offer better control of the disease and fewer side effects than existing therapies. Cyclosporine A devices were prepared for the treatment of uveitis. Early data suggests that these devices maintain therapeutic levels in the vitreous for approximately 3 years. Work on efficacy and toxicity is continuing. Although clinical applications of these devices are likely to be restricted to diseases requiring chronic drug therapy, they can be used to investigate optimal delivery rates. Subconjunctivally implanted devices releasing 5-FU for 12 days maintained filters in cynomolgus monkeys for 3 months. Similar devices maintained low intraocular pressure in 75% of high risk filter patients.

Animals

Postoperative fibrin formation and visual outcome after pars plana vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To determine whether postvitrectomy fibrin formation was associated with visual outcome, a prospective study of patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy was performed. METHODS: In 121 patients undergoing vitrectomy at the Medical College of Wisconsin between July 1986 and April 1989, the association of fibrin formation and other perioperative factors with visual outcome was evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Poor visual outcome was defined as visual acuity worse than 5/200. RESULTS: After a median follow-up period of 23 months (range 6 to 51 months), patients with severe fibrin formation experienced a higher rate of poor visual outcome (19 of 26 patients, 73%) than patients with little or no fibrin formation (23 of 95 patients, 24%; P < 0.0001, univariate analysis). After adjusting for a variety of factors with multivariate regression analysis, fibrin formation was not significantly predictive of final visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with postvitrectomy fibrin formation may affect visual outcome more than fibrin formation itself.

Adolescent

Lightning maculopathy. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Lightning can cause a number of ocular complications. A case involving a patient who developed a cataract and reversible maculopathy in both eyes after being struck by lightning is reported. METHODS: The patient was evaluated for cataract and macular edema by ophthalmoscopic examination, fluorescein angiography, and potential acuity meter. RESULTS: Maculopathy developed that was characterized initially by a retinal cyst with surrounding edema. Later, the lesions evolved to simulate a full-thickness hole. These lesions subsequently resolved, and the patient's visual acuity improved to 20/20 in each eye after cataract extraction. CONCLUSION: Because the visual prognosis for lightning-induced maculopathy is potentially different than that for full-thickness macular holes, careful retinal examination is essential in the preoperative workup.

Adult

Inhibition of cultured human RPE cell proliferation and lysyl hydroxylase activity by hydroxy derivatives of minoxidil.

PURPOSE: To examine the antiproliferative and lysyl hydroxylase suppressing effects of 3'-hydroxyminoxidil and 4'-hydroxyminoxidil, derivatives of minoxidil devoid of the antihypertensive effect, on human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in culture. METHODS: Subconfluent and confluent cultures of RPE cells, exposed to 0.01 to 5 mM 3' or 4'-hydroxyminoxidil for 15 minutes to 7 days, were examined for proliferation, viability, and morphologic changes. Lysyl hydroxylase activity in confluent cultures exposed to 1 mM 3'- or 4'-hydroxyminoxidil was determined by measuring the amount of 3H2O released from L-(4,5-3H)lysine-labeled unhydroxylated procollagen substrate after vacuum distillation. RESULTS: Both compounds inhibited the proliferation of subconfluent cultures of RPE cells in a dose-dependent fashion. The 50% effect occurred at 0.25 mM for 3'-hydroxyminoxidil and 0.5 mM for 4'-hydroxyminoxidil. The antiproliferative effect was detectable within 24 hours, required a minimum 1-hour exposure, and persisted even after the drug was removed from the culture medium. Cell viability experiments provided no evidence for toxicity. In contrast, the number of cells at confluent density was not affected. Both 3'-hydroxyminoxidil and 4'-hydroxyminoxidil suppressed lysyl hydroxylase activity by 72%. CONCLUSIONS: The structure of minoxidil can be altered to reduce the antihypertensive activity while preserving the antiproliferative and lysyl hydroxylase suppressing effects. The hydroxy derivatives of minoxidil may be useful in the treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, a disease with unwanted proliferation of RPE cells.

Cell Division

Activin expression by cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: To determine whether human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells produce activin, a growth factor in the transforming growth factor beta family, and to characterize growth regulatory effects of activin on retinal pigment epithelium. METHODS: mRNA expression was examined using polymerase chain reaction with primers specific for the beta A and beta B chains of activin and by slot blot analysis with a probe specific for the beta A chain. Protein localization was determined immunocytochemically using antibodies specific for the beta A chain of activin and intact activin A. The effect of activin A on DNA synthesis was studied by measuring (3H) thymidine incorporation after cells were exposed to recombinant human activin A (rhA). Growth regulatory effects of rhA on hRPE cells were examined with cell growth assays. RESULTS: beta A mRNA was expressed constitutively in 8/8 cells lines tested. beta B mRNA was not expressed in any of the six cell lines tested but was expressed in human ovarian granulosa cell controls. Positive immunostaining was observed for both the beta A chain and intact activin A. (3H) thymidine incorporation was inhibited 44% (P < 0.025), 45% (P < 0.025), and 44% (P < 0.015) when RPE cells were exposed to 100 ng/ml rhA and grown in serum-free medium, medium with 0.5% serum, and 1% serum, respectively. Cell growth was inhibited 33.2% (P = 0.0001) after RPE cells were exposed to 100 ng/ml rhA for 8 days. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that activin A can act as an autocrine-paracrine growth regulator in RPE cells and may help control cellular growth in ocular development and proliferative eye disease.

Activins

The antiproliferative effect of a transferrin-toxin on human retinal pigment epithelial cells and rabbit fibroblasts.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of a rabbit transferrin conjugated to recombinant ricin A chain (Tfr-rRA) and the carboxylic ionophore monensin on proliferating and density-arrested human retinal pigment epithelial cells and rabbit dermal fibroblasts. METHODS: Cells were seeded on 24-well plates at 20,000 cells/cm2 and exposed to Tfr-rRA (0.1-10,000 ng/ml) with or without monensin (0.01 microM), and with or without human transferrin (65.7 mg/l) for 5 minutes to 7 days. Cells were studied morphologically and counted at 1, 2, 4, and 7 days. RESULTS: Tfr-rRA (10-10,000 ng/ml) killed proliferating human retinal pigment epithelial cells and rabbit dermal fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner (p < or = 0.01) up to a maximum of 86% and 93%, respectively. In contrast, Tfr-rRA had minimal effect on density-arrested human retinal pigment epithelial cells and rabbit dermal fibroblasts. The cytotoxicity of Tfr-rRA was inhibited by the addition of human transferrin (65.7 mg/l), an effect that was partially overcome by longer treatment with Tfr-rRA. Monensin (0.01 microM) increased the cytotoxicity of Tfr-rRA by 4.8-fold over Tfr-rRA alone, shortened the onset of cell kill with Tfr-rRA from 48 to 24 hours (P = 0.04), and partially reversed the neutralizing effect of human transferrin. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that Tfr-rRA effectively inhibited the proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells and rabbit dermal fibroblasts in vitro. The inhibitory effect could be modified by the addition of human transferrin or monensin. Thus, this ricin A chain conjugate may interrupt the proliferation of cells necessary in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Animals

Progression of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and visual outcome after extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation.

Twenty-one patients with symmetric nonproliferative retinopathy who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation were followed up postoperatively for an average (+/- standard deviation) of 18 +/- 7 months to determine the incidence of progression of diabetic retinopathy, the final visual acuity, and factors predictive of progression of retinopathy and final visual acuity. Progression of retinopathy, defined as the development of clinically significant macular edema, an increase in intraretinal hemorrhages or hard exudate, or the development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, was assessed in both eyes of 19 patients; in two remaining patients, dense preoperative cataract in the fellow eye precluded comparison of retinopathy progression in the operated-on eye to progression in the fellow eye. Overall, retinopathy progressed in 14 of 19 operated-on eyes (74%). Cataract extraction was highly associated with asymmetric progression of nonproliferative retinopathy; it progressed only in the operated-on eye in seven of 19 patients (37%), but in no patients did progression occur in the fellow eye alone (P = .0078). Women had a significantly increased risk of progression of retinopathy in the operated-on eye compared to men (P = .005). Visual acuity improved in 19 of 21 operated-on eyes (86%); however, only 11 eyes (52%) achieved a visual acuity of 20/50 or better and only six eyes (14%) achieved a visual acuity of 20/25 or better. In only five eyes was the final visual acuity in the operated-on eye more than two lines better than the final visual acuity in the fellow eye.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged

Modulation of potassium transport in cultured retinal pigment epithelium and retinal glial cells by serum and epidermal growth factor.

The ionic environment of retinal photoreceptors is partially controlled by potassium transporters on retinal glial and retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). In this study, serum and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were examined as modulators of potassium transport in confluent cultures of human RPE and rabbit retinal glia. EGF is a known mitogen for confluent RPE cultures and was shown here to also stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation in cultures of retinal glia. For potassium transport studies 86Rb was used as a tracer during a 17-min incubation. For both retinal cell types the mean total 86Rb uptake in 10% serum was approximately 60% above basal, serum-free controls. For EGF, tested in several experiments in a concentration range from 1 to 100 ng/ml, maximal total uptake was 33 and 24% above controls for RPE and glia, respectively. Inhibitor studies suggested that basal and serum-stimulated uptake for both cell types occurred by the ouabain-sensitive Na-K ATPase pump and by the furosemide- or bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-Cl cotransporter. EGF-stimulated uptake appeared to be due predominantly to the cotransporter. The data suggest that serum components and EGF, which may be available to retina-derived cells under pathologic conditions, may not only stimulate proliferation but may also act as short-term modulators of potassium ion movement and thus affect physiologic processes that are sensitive to ion homeostasis.

Animals

Modulation of macrophage colony stimulating factor in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Steady-state mRNA expression and protein production of macrophage colony stimulating factor were measured in visually confluent monolayers of unstimulated cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells and after cells were stimulated with recombinant cytokines. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, macrophage colony stimulating factor mRNA expression was detected in unstimulated cells obtained from each of four separate donors. In these cells, mRNA expression was accompanied by secretion of macrophage colony stimulating factor protein into cell-conditioned medium; 48 hr after cells were switched to fresh medium, the mean (+/- S.D.) quantity of macrophage colony stimulating factor, measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay, was 5.1 +/- 2.3 ng 10(-6) cells. There was a dose- and time-dependent induction of macrophage colony stimulating factor mRNA after cells were exposed to recombinant human interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Maximal mRNA induction was observed in cells exposed for 4 hr to interleukin-1 beta (5 U ml-1) or for 4-8 hr to tumor necrosis factor alpha; under these conditions, macrophage colony stimulating factor mRNA was induced up to 23- and 46-fold after exposure to interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha, respectively. Similarly, macrophage colony stimulating factor protein production was enhanced after cells were exposed to recombinant cytokines. Protein secretion increased 1.3-2.5-fold (P less than 0.001) after exposure to interleukin-1 beta (5 U ml-1), and 1.2-1.6-fold after exposure to tumor necrosis factor alpha (P less than 0.03).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cells, Cultured

Expression of interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

mRNA expression and protein production of interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta and intracellular and secreted forms of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist were measured in visually confluent monolayers of unstimulated cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells and after cells were stimulated with recombinant cytokines. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, transcripts for interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta were not detected in unstimulated cells from any of six donors whereas mRNA expression for both interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta was readily induced in all six cell lines after cells were stimulated with recombinant IL-1 (alpha or beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha, or lipopolysaccharide. The combination of cycloheximide and recombinant interleukin-1 caused a 14-fold enhancement of interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta mRNA expression above that observed after cells were stimulated with interleukin-1 alone. After stimulation by interleukin-1, cells produced intracellular interleukin-1 alpha protein, but did not secrete it into medium. In contrast, interleukin-1 beta protein was not detected in cell lysates or conditioned-medium after stimulation with interleukin-1. An intracellular interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was expressed constitutively by human retinal pigment epithelial cells; mRNA transcripts were enhanced in a dose and time dependent manner after cells were exposed to recombinant interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor alpha. In contrast, mRNA for a secreted form of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was not detected under basal conditions or after cells were stimulated by recombinant cytokines. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein was found primarily in cell lysates; little interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein was secreted by the cells. The presence of cell-associated interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. Levels of cell-associated IL-1 receptor antagonist protein were not significantly influenced by recombinant interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor alpha. Endogenous expression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist may attenuate the effect of exogenous or endogenous interleukin-1, thus providing the RPE cell a means of maintaining interleukin-1 homeostasis in ocular inflammatory disease.

Cells, Cultured