We used an experimental model of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and cell-induced traction retinal detachment to study the therapeutic value of six cytotoxic drugs (actinomycin C, colchicine, cytosine arabinoside hydrochloride, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, vinblastine sulfate, and daunomycin). Pigmented rabbits were injected with 2.5 X 10(5) cultured homologous dermal fibroblasts. At the same time, cytotoxic drugs were injected into the vitreous in an attempt to inhibit cellular proliferation. The sensitivity of the cells to the drug was also tested in vitro before injection. Daunomycin at a dose of 10 nmol per eye stopped cellular proliferation and subsequent traction retinal detachment in vivo. The electroretinogram (ERG) showed no evidence of drug-induced retinal toxicity with this dose of daunomycin. No alteration in frequency or severity of vitreal membranes and retinal detachment was observed after injection of equivalent doses of the other drugs.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental retinal detachment in the rabbit. Penetrating ocular injury with retinal laceration.

Retinal detachment was studied in a rabbit model of penetrating ocular injury with retinal laceration. The injury was an 8 mm perforation through the sclera, choroid, and retina with vitreous loss and incarceration. When the injury was located at the equator of the globe, the rate of retinal detachment was 16%, but if located at the ora serrata, the rate was 78%. The higher rate of retinal detachment following injuries located at the ora serrata is probably due to the involvement of the vitreous base.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Interferon beta affects retinal pigment epithelial cell proliferation via protein kinase C pathways.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to see the effect of interferon beta (IFN-beta) on cell proliferation and the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway. METHODS: Proliferation of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, with various concentrations of IFN-beta, and with or without 3% fetal calf serum (FCS), was assessed by cell counting. Effects of short (3 h) or prolonged (48 h) exposure of RPE cells to natural human IFN-beta were assessed by (3)H-thymidine uptake. Cytosolic and membranous PKC activity over time in cells treated with IFN-beta and calphostin C was also measured. RESULTS: IFN-beta inhibited the increased proliferation by FCS in the prolonged-exposure assay. The PKC inhibitor calphostin C also showed an inhibitory effect on RPE cell growth and (3)H-thymidine uptake in the chronic exposure with FCS. Short treatment with IFN-beta had no inhibitory or stimulatory effect on (3)H-thymidine uptake. Cytosolic and membranous PKC activity was strongly upregulated after short IFN-beta exposure but returned to original levels after 1 h. PKC activity was downregulated both in the cytosol and membrane after 24 or 48 h. CONCLUSION: IFN-beta inhibited RPE proliferation in vitro and the effect is mediated by upregulation of the PKC pathway.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Argon laser lesions of the retina; occurrence and origin of macrophages.

Macrophage infiltration is frequent in the early stages of various proliferative eye disorders, including subretinal neovascularization. In this study, we set out to establish the origin of macrophages found in an animal model of laser-induced subretinal neovascularization. One primate received several intravenous injections of a colloidal carbon suspension. We then applied standard argon laser lesions to the retina of both eyes, which were enucleated eight days later and sectioned serially for histological examination. A quantitative estimate of carbon-laden and non-laden leukocytes was made based on morphological criteria. Mononuclear leukocytes accumulated in the laser lesions and the percentage of carbon-laden mononuclear leukocytes in relation to the total leukocyte number was higher in the extravascular area of the laser sites than in the systemic circulation. These findings indicate that the majority of mononuclear leukocytes that accumulate at the sites of laser lesions are derived from the systemic circulation.

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PubMedDate not supplied