Objective To detect the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro induced by verteporfin-photodynamic therapy. Methods Cultured vascular endothelial cells and human RPE cells were incubated with verteporfin at a concentration of 1.0 mu;g/ml which was equivalent to the initial plasma level of verteporfin in clinical therapy. Each kind of cells were divided into 6 groups according to different time of incubation: 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes group. After incubated, the cells were illuminated by the laser light with the maximum wavelength of absorption of verteporfin (wavelength: 689 nm, power density: 600 mW/cm2) with the power of 2.4 J/cm 2for 83 seconds. The percentage of cellular apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry 3 hours after PDT, and the measurement was repeated thrice. Results The proportion of cellular apoptosis 3 hours after PDT were 0.01plusmn;0.01, 0.25plusmn;0.02, 0.32plusmn;0.02, 0.41plusmn;0.04, 0.49plusmn;0.03 and 0.61plusmn;0.02, respectively in 0-120 minutes group of vascular endothelial cells; and 0.02plusmn;0.01, 0.22plusmn;0.01, 0.31plusmn;0.02, 0.38plusmn;0.03, 0.47plusmn;0.05 and 0.58plusmn;0.03 respectively in 0-120 minutes group of RPE cells. The proportion of cellular apoptosis of both kinds of the cells increased as the incubation time was prolonged. There was no significant difference of the percentage of cellular apoptosis between the accordant time groups in the two kinds of cells (P＞0.05). Conclusions Cellular apoptosis can be quickly induced by verteporfin-PDT both in human vascular endothelial cells and RPE cells; under the same condition in vitro, PDT has no obvious selection for the apoptosis of the two kinds of cells. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 253-255)
Objective To study the feasibility of transplanting human saphanous vein endothelial cells to luminal surface of blood vessel prosthesis and to play a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of autologous endothelial cell transplantation. Methods Human saphanous vein endothelial cells were harvested with 0.1% collagenase and cultivated in vitro for 13.08±1.24 days. The cultures were confirmed as endothelial cells with the fourescent linked anti-Ⅷ antigen antibodies. The content of both 6-keto-PGF1α and Von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the supernatant were detected with ELISA and radioimmunoassay. The multiplied cells were lined in vitro onto the luminal surface of expanded polytetraflouroethylene (ePTFE) grafts precoated with fibrin glue and fibronectin, then cultivated again for 9 days. Results 11.46±2.69×１０６ of available endothelial cells could be regularly obtained, the number of endothelial cells increased 147.93±88.68 times when culture were terminated. All the cells diploid cells with a purity of 99%. The content of both 6-keto-PGF1α and vWF in the media showed no significant difference between the primary and subculture passages. The luminal surface of grafts was covered completely by a spindlelike endothelial monolayer and an even fibrin glue matrix could be seen underneath. Conclusion Endothelial cells derived from human saphanous veins might be feasible to be transplanted onto the luminal surface of ePTFE and present a potential clinical application.
Objective To observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in aqueous humor and vitreous body in eyes with proliferative vitreo-retinal diseases, and to investigate the role of VEGF plays in the pathoge nesis of proliferative vitreo-retinal diseases. Methods The concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) were measured by double antibodies sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in eyes with PVR, RVO, PDR and NVG were obviously higher than that in the control group (Plt;0.05), respectively. Among all of the diseases, the concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body decreased orderly in NVG, PDR, RVO and PVR (Plt;0.05). The concentration of VEGF in vitreous body in eyes with PVR, RVO, PDR and in the control group were much higher than that in aqueous humor in corresponding groups (Plt;0.05). There was a negative correlation between the disease history and content of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in patients with PVR (r=－0.819, －0.823；Plt;0.05). The disease history positi vely correlated with the concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in patients with RVO (r=0.913, 0.929；Plt;0.05), and the time of vitreous hemorrhage positively correlated with the concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in patients with PDR (r=0.905, 0.920；Plt;0.05). Conclusion The concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in patients with proliferative vitreo-retinal diseases significantly increases, and VEGF may play an important role in the pathoge nesis of proliferative vitreo-retinal diseases. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 313-316)
Objective To observe the expression of p53, bcl-2 genes, vascular endothelial cell growth factor（VEGF）, basic fibroblast growth factor（bFGF）, insulin-like growth factor-I （IGF-I）, and the receptors of these factors of retinal vascular endothelial cells (VECs) of 1- to 20-week diabetic rats, and the relationship between the expressions and cell cycle arrest.Methods Retinal sections of diabetic rats induced by alloxan were immunohistochemically stained and observed by light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM). Dot blotting and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of mRNA, proteins of p53 and bcl-2. Results Under LM, immunohistochemical positive expression of p53 and bcl-2 were found on the vessels of ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer of retinae of 8- to 20-week diabetic rats; under EM, these substances were observed depositing in VECs. The retinal VECs also expressed VEGF, bFGF, IGF-I and their receptors. There was no positive expression of other cell types in these retinae, all cell types of retinae in control group, or all cells of retinae of diabetic rats with the course of disease of 1 to 6 weeks. The result of dot blotting revealed that retinal tissue of 20-week diabetic rat expressed p53 and bcl-2 mRNA, and the result of Western blotting revealed that they also expressed p53 and bcl-2 proteins. But retinal tissues of control group did not. Positive expression of bax was not found in the retinae in control group or 1- to 20-week diabetic rats. Conclusion p53, bcl-2 may introduce cell cycle arrest of VECs of retinae in 8- to 20-week diabetic rats. High glucose might stimulate the expression of VEGF, bFGF, IGF-I and their receptors, and the growth factors may keep VECs surviving by self-secretion. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：29-33)
ObjectiveTo observe the inhibitory effect of berberine (BBR) on the apoptosis of human retinal vascular endothelial cells (hREC) under high glucose environment.MethodshREC was divided into blank control group (NC group), high glucose group (HG group), BBR treatment group (BN group), and BBR+high glucose treatment group (BH group). The cells of each group were cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium; 5.5 and 30.0 mmol/L glucose were added to the medium of the NC group and HG group, respectively; 5.0 mmol/L glucose and 5.0 mmol/L BBR was added to the BN group; 30.0 mmol/L glucose and 5.0 mmol/L BBR was added to the medium of the BH group. Flow cytometry was used to observe the apoptosis rate of each group. Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 related X protein (Bax), and Cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and cysteine aspastic acid-specific protease 3 (Caspase-3) proteins in each group of cells. The difference between the two groups was tested by t test, and the difference among multiple groups was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. ResultsThe results of flow cytometry showed that compared with the NC group, the apoptosis rate of the HG group significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01); compared with the HG group, the apoptosis rate of the BH group significantly reduced, the difference was statistical significance (P＜0.05). Western blot test results showed that, compared with the NC group, the relative expression of Bax and Caspase-3 protein in the HG group increased, and the relative expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased. The difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01). Compared with the HG group, the relative expression of Bax, Cyt-C, and Caspase-3 protein in BH group cells decreased, and the relative expression of Bcl-2 protein increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01). ConclusionBBR can inhibit hREC apoptosis by affecting the expression of apoptotic protein under high glucose environment.
Objective To investigate the effects of Hep-A and Hep-B on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced breakdown of blood-retinal barrier. Methods The mice were subcutaneously injected vehicle, Hep-A or Hep-B 10 mg/kg twice a day for 5 days. Then, 1 μl of 10-6mol/L VEGF were intravitreous injected. After 6 hours, 13.7×104Bq/g3H-mannital were injected intraperitoneally. The mice were sacrificed and the retinas, lungs, kidneys were removed and examined for radioactivity. The result were analyzed using SPSS software to calculate and compare retina/lung and etina/kidney leakage ratio among groups of different treatment. Result The retina/lung and retina/kidney leakage ratio were 0.38±0.04 and 0.21±0.03 respectively in normal mice; increased significantly to 1.05±0.11 and 0.46±0.04 respectively in model mice, both Plt;0.01 compared to those in normal mice; decreased to 0.59±0.06 and 0.32±0.03 respectively in mice treated with Hep-A, both Plt;0.01 compared to those in model mice; decreased 0.54±0.04 and 0.35±0.03 in mice treated with Hep-B,both Plt;0.01 compared to those in model mice. Conclusion Hep-A and Hep-B can significantly reduce VEGF-induced breakdown of blood-retinal barrier in mice. Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：352-354)
Objective To investigate the impact of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin on the expression of pigment epithelial derivative factor (PEDF) mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in adult retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro. Methods The changes of cellular viability before and after PDT were assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolum (MTT) colorimetric assay. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to detect the expression of PEDF and VEGF mRNA in RPE cells before and after PDT. Results PDT caused the death of RPE cells. The cellular mortality was positively correlated with the power of photocoagulation and the concentration of verteporfin. Conclusion PDT could downregulate the expression of PEDF and VEGF mRNA in adult RPE cells in vitro, which may relate to the cure or relapse of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane after PDT. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 256-260)
Objective To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the exp ression and function of integrin receptor αvβ3 of bovine retinal vascular endotheliocytes. Methods Bovine retinal vascular endotheliocy tes in the culture dishes coated by vitronectin was put into the normal and hypoxemic condition, respectively. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and cell adhesion analysis were used to detect the expression and function of integrin receptor αvβ3 in bovine retinal vascular endotheliocytes, respectively. Results Under the condition of hypoxia, the expression of αvβ3 increased gradually, and reached the peak at the 48th hour. The expression of αvβ3 at the 60th and 72nd hour in hypoxia group was higher than that in the normal group. Bovine retinal vascular endotheliocytes absorbed more Vn of extra-cellular matrixes (ECM) after cultured under hypoxemic condition for 24 hours.Conclusion Hypoxia may up-regulate the expression of αvβ3, which promote the adsorbability of endotheliocytes.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：360-363)
Objective To explore the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) on the glycolysis level of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs). MethodsA experimental study. hRMECs cultured in vitro were divided into normal group, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) group (4-HNE group) and 4-HNE+BMP4 treatment group (BMP4 group). 4-HNE group cell culture medium was added with 10 μmmol/L 4-HNE; BMP4 group cell culture medium was added with recombinant human BMP4 100 ng/ml after 6 h stimulation with 10 μmol/L 4-HNE. The levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. The effect of 4-HNE on the viability of cells was detected by thiazole blue colorimetry. Cell scratch test and Transwell cell method were used to determine the effect of 4-HNE on cell migration. The relative expression of BMP4 and SMAD9 mRNA and protein in normal group and 4-HNE group were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Seahorse XFe96 cell energy metabolism analyzer was used to determine the level of intracellular glycolysis metabolism in normal group, 4-HNE group and BMP4 group. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between groups. ResultsThe ROS levels in hRMECs of normal group, 4-HNE group and BMP4 group were 21±1, 815±5, 810±7, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the levels of ROS in the 4-HNE group and the BMP4 group were significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant (F=53.40, 50.30; P＜0.001). The cell viability in the normal group and 4-HNE group was 1.05±0.05 and 1.28±0.05, respectively; the migration rates were (0.148±0.005)%, (0.376±0.015)%; the number of cells passing through the pores were 109.0±9.6, 318.0±6.4, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the 4-HNE group had significantly higher cell viability, cell migration rate, and the number of cells passing through the pores, and the differences were statistically significant (F=54.35, 52.84, 84.35; P＜0.05). The relative expression levels of BMP4 and SMAD9 mRNA in the cells of the 4-HEN group were 1.680±0.039 and 1.760±0.011, respectively; compared with the normal group, the difference was statistically significant (F=53.66, 83.54; P＜0.05). The relative expression levels of BMP4 and SMAD9 proteins in the cells of the normal group and 4-HEN group were 0.620±0.045, 0.860±0.190, 0.166±0.049, 0.309±0.038, respectively; compared with the normal group, the differences were statistically significant (F=24.87, 53.84; P＜0.05). The levels of intracellular glycolysis, glycolytic capacity and glycolytic reserve in normal group, 4-HNE group and BMP4 group were 1.21±0.12, 2.84±0.24, 1.78±0.36, 2.59±0.11, 5.34±0.32, 2.78±0.45 and 2.64±0.13, 5.20±0.28, 2.66±0.33. Compared with the normal group, the differences were statistically significant (4-HNE group: F=86.34, 69.75, 58.45; P＜0.001; BMP4 group: F=56.87, 59.35, 58.35; P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in intracellular glycolysis, glycolysis capacity and glycolysis reserve level between 4-HNE group and BMP4 group (F=48.32, 56.33, 55.01; P＞0.05). ConclusionBMP4 induces the proliferation and migration of hRMECs through glycolysis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of smoking combined with intermittent hypoxia on the pathophysiology of lung tissue and thoracic aorta, and the endothelial injury.MethodsTwenty-four rats (SPF, female, six weeks old) were divided randomly into 4 groups (n=6). The control group was given false smoking and normal oxygen exposure, the smoking-exposed group was exposed in smoking, the intermittent hypoxia group was exposed in intermittent hypoxia environment, and the overlap group was exposed to smoking and intermittent hypoxia. After 8 weeks, body weight, right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), the pathological changes of lung tissue and thoracic aorta were measured, and the level of endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) in serum of rats were evaluated.ResultsRVHI of rats in the smoking-exposed group, intermittent hypoxia group, overlap group were higher than that in the control group. In addition, RVHI in the overlap group was higher than that in the smoking-exposed group, intermittent hypoxia group (all P<0.05). The levels of ET-1, VEGF and SDF-1α in the serum of the smoking-exposed group, intermittent hypoxia group and overlap group were higher than those in the control group, while the level of eNOS was lower than that in the control group, (all P<0.05), the most significant difference was between control group and the overlap group. Pathological observation of lung tissue and thoracic aorta showed obvious emphysema in the smoking-exposed group and overlap group, which was more obvious in the overlap group than that in the smoking-exposed group (all P<0.05). Lung interstitial inflammatory infiltration, bronchial wall lymphocyte hyperplasia and pulmonary fibrosis were shown in different degrees in the smoking-exposed group, intermittent hypoxia group and overlap group, and the pulmonary arteriole wall showed thickening, fibrosis and peripheral inflammatory infiltration also were found in these groups. Thoracic aorta in the smoking-exposed group, intermittent hypoxia group and overlap group showed different degrees of endothelial cell injury, middle membrane thickening, and collagen fiber hyperplasia. The pathological features of the overlap group were most obvious compared to the other two groups.ConclusionsSmoking and intermittent hypoxia exposure can lead to different degrees of lung tissue and vascular endothelial injury and decrease of vascular endothelial protective factors in rats, resulting in dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells, which leads to the structural remodeling of pulmonary arterioles and aorta, such as thickening, fibrosis, etc. Combined smoking and intermittent hypoxia exposure can lead to more serious pathological damage.