RCBTB1 gene associated hereditary retinopathy is an extremely rare inherited retinal disease (IRD) discovered recently. The mutation of RCBTB1 gene can lead to a variety of IRD clinical phenotypes, such as early retinitis pigmentosa and delayed chorioretinal atrophy. The hereditary mode of RCBTB1 gene associated retinopathy is autosomal recessive. RCBTB1 gene plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial function and anti-oxidative stress defense mechanism of retinal pigment epithelium cells. In the future, it is necessary to further determine whether there is a genotypic and phenotypic correlation in the age of onset of RCBTB1 gene associated retinopathy or multi-organ involvement, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of adeno-associated virus-mediated RCBTB1 gene replacement therapy in animal models, to explore the feasibility of gene replacement therapy and stem cell therapy.
Objective To investigate the features of ocular fundus of retinal pigment epithelial detachment (PED) in Chinese patients more than 50. Methods The clinical data of 31 continuous patients (34 eyes) with PED diagnosed by ocular fundus photochromy, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography ( ICGA ) from Oct, 2001 to Aug, 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. Results In 34 eyes with PED, the results of FFA showed serous PED in 18 (52.9%), hemorrhagic PED in 8 (23.5%), and serosanguineous PED in 8 (23.5%); the results of ICGA revealed PED associated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in 12 (35.3%), PED associated with ploypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in 17 (50.0%), PED associated with both CNV and PCV in 1 (2.9%), and avascular PED in 4 (11.8%). Conclusions PED in Chinese patients more than 50 can be associated with CNV, PCV or other avascular diseases, and PCV is the most common intercurrent choroidal vascular disease. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 224-227)
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the index of the rejection of lJle retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells transplantation. METHOD:Allogenic RPE transplantation on rahbits by transcleral technique, the changes of interleukin-2 (IL-2) activity in peripheral blood and the effect of immunoinhibitor (methylprednisonlone)were detected. RESLILTS:In the group of simple transplantation,the IL-2 activity in peripheral blood begin to rise in the first day after operation. The peak value occured in the third day,and is still much higher than that of the control group in the 14th day,whereas in the group treated with immunoinhibitor ,there was no obvious difference in the first day after operatlon,in the third day,the IL-2 activity rises slightly,and returned to normal level in the 7th day. CONCLUSION: After RPE transplantation, the level of IL-2 activity in peripheral blood might serve as an important index to determining and detecting the rejective response. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 239-241）
Objective To investigate the effect of hypericin on the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in vitro.Methods RPE cells were cultured in standard medium with 10% serum concentrations containing 0.5 to 5.0 μmol/L hypericin with or without preincubation of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The activities of cytosolic PKC (c-PKC) and membranous PKC (m-PKC) were assayed by PKC kit. Results The original activities of c-PKC and m-PKC of RPE cells were (35.34±4.10) pmol·min-1·mg-1and (62.52±8.80) pmol·min-1·mg-1.The activity of c-PKC in RPE cells with PMA preincubation decreased rapidly in 5 minutes, with a subsequent slow decrease after 20 minutes and a decrease to 18% of the activity of c-PKC in RPE cells without PMA preinubation after 60 minutes. While the activity of m-PKC in RPE cells with PMA preincubation increased gradually after 5 minutes and reduced after reached the peak at 40 minutes, and then returned to baseline after 60 minutes, eventually decreased below 30% of the control group. When RPE cells were cultured with PMA for 48 hours, the activities of c-PKC and m-PKC were hardly detectable, while RPE cells were cultured with both PMA and hypericin, hypericin could counteract most of down-regulation by PMA. Conclusion Hypericin may inhibit the translocation of PKC in RPE cells,change the activity of PKC, promote the apoptosis of RPE cells likely,and then prevent proliferative vitreoretinopathy. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：55-58)
PURPOSE:In search of the mechanism for photic retinal injury. METHODS:A visible light damage model was established in the primary cultured healthy,adult human RPE cells by using intense fluorescence light (2 400 Lx). RESULTS:Electron microscopy revealed swelling of the mitochondria and obscurity of nuclear membranous structure in the light damaged cells. The decrease or dissolution of organelle,vacuolization of cytoplasm and myelinic degeneration were found in some severely damaged cells. The level of intracellular SOD was decreased to 41% of that of the controls (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION:The structure of the RPE was damaged by the light radiation and the level of intracellular SOD was decreased. These suggested the light damage might be associated with the production of free radicals and the lipid perioxide reaction in membranous structure of cell. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 174-175 ）
Objective To investigate the ingestion, metabolism and subcellular localization of indocyanine green (ICG) in human retinal epithelial (R PE) cells.Methods RPE cells were incubated with 0.25 mg/ml ICG under the condition of 37oC in the camera. The ICG granule and ultrastructure of RPE cells were observed under the electron microscopy after 1, 4, and 24hour incubation, and the ICG autofluorescence was detected by fluorescence microscopy after the incubation for 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. The ab sorbency (A value) of ICG solution was measured at 805 nm with ultraviol et/v isible specrtrometer. The standard curve of concentration of ICG was drawn and the related equation of concentration of ICG and the A value was calculated. After being incubated for 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively, the A value of supernatant fluid was calculated according to the equation. Aft er incubated with ICG for 24 hours, one sample was observed under electron microscope and fluorescence microscope per week to evaluate the metabolizable period of ICG .Results ICG granules were distributed evenly after entering the RPE cells. After incubated with 0.25 mg/ml ICG for 24 hours, no significant change of the ultrastructure of the RPE cells was found. ICG granules accu mulated in the cells as the time goes by and reached the peak after 24 hours, and then they decreased because of the slowdown of the metabolism. Few ICG was still remained in the cells 1 week later Conclusions RPE cells may take in ICG actively. ICG metabolizable period in RPE cells is long, which may be one of the mechanisms of the toxicity of ICG to the retina in the vitreous operation.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：179-181)
Severely coagulated retinae by argon laser of 20 Chinese hamsters were investigated with transmission electron-microscopy. The results revealed destruction of retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch's membrane-choroid capillary complex at the coagulated foci, and leakage of fluid and blood cells through the choroidal vessels into the subretinal space. Several days after laser burn the subretinal fluid was found to subside and the RPE cells surrounding the burned lesions started to proliferate. The smaller lesions were covered by the proliferating RPE 10 days after coagulation, but poor regeneration of RPE in large necrotic areas. Neovascularization was usually associated with obvious defect of Bruch's membrane and restoration of RPE barrier was most likely impossible. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1992,8:14-16）
Objective To investigate the changes of cellular configuration and polarized characteristic of visual pigment during the development of rod cells of neonatal calf in vitro. Methods Retinal cells of neonatal calf were dissociated and cultivated for 10, 20, 30 and 40 days in vitro were used for immunocytochemical analysis. Retinal rod cells were identified by rho4D2 antibody. The configuration of positive cells and rhodopsin molecular distribution were analysed at different cultivated time. The immuno-reactivity of positive cells was measured by image analysis system. Results The rho4D2 immuno-reactive cells included small round cells without protuberance and the cells with protuberance at the peak. At the 10th day after cultivation, the visual pigment immunoreaction was suffusive in the whole cell membrane and apical process; while at the 30th and 40th day, it gathered at the membrane of apical process or one pole of the cells. The results of quantitative analysis showed that the immunoreactive intensity of positive cells at the 20th day after cultivation was ber than that at the 10th day; while there was no significant difference among the immunoreactive intensity at the 20th, 30th, and 40th day. Conclusions Rod cells at the 30th and 40th day after cultivation have the polarized characterization and visual pigment molecular distribution with high level of expressive ability of protein, which are mature neurons. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005, 21: 394-396)
ObjectiveTo observe the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in injured model of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and the promoting effect of CTGF on migration of RPE cells.MethodsCultured monolayer-confluent human RPE cells were scraped with a trephine and a cotton stick, and set up the injured model of RPE cells with round scraped area. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization(ISH) were used to detect the expression of CTGF protein and mRNA in injured RPE cells at distinct time points after injury. The number of RPE cells migrated to injured area was measured and the effect of CTGF on migration of RPE cells and the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on the promoting process of CTGF were observed.ResultsThe results of immunohstochemistry and ISH indicated the weak positive expression of CTGF in RPE cells at the edge of scrape 6 hours after injury, and the positive expression increased gradually as time goes by after the injury. Strong positive expression of CTGF in RPE cells at the edge of scrape was found 24 and 48 hours after injury. Rebuilt human CTGF stimulated migration of RPE cells in a dose-depended manner, and DEX significantly inhabited the migration.ConclusionCTGF involves in the procedure of repair of injury of RPE cells, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of intraocular proliferative diseases such as proliferative vitreoretinaopathy.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:306-309)
Objective To investigate effect of intravitreal injection of FK506 on the survival of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells heter oplastically transplanted into the subretinal space of rabbits.Methods The immortalized human RPE cells were genetically labeled by retrovirus vector carrying a green fluorescent protein (GFP). A total of 50 μl RPE cells suspension with 4×103 cells/μl which expressed GFP were injected into the subretinal space of both eyes of 18 white rabbits and 10 gray rabbits. The left eyes of all of the rabbits were injected of 5 μl FK506 (5 μg/μl) intravitreally once a week during the first 5 weeks, then once every other week until the 20th week and the right eyes were as the control. The histological sections of heteroplastic RPE cells were observed by epifluorescent microscope.Results GFP-expressing cells could be seen after 1 week, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, and 54 weeks in white rabbits and after 4 , 5, 6, 7, 14, 18, 20, and 26 weeks in gray rabbits. The configuration and integrality of the RPE-GFP cells in the left eyes which had been intravitreally injected of FK506 1-14 weeks after transplantation were better than those in the right eyes without injection. After 18 weeks, the condition of heteroplastic cells with few difference in both eyes in 7 white and 3 gray rabbits were found. After 1-6 weeks, focal and disseminated lymphocytes around the choroidal small vessles of right eyes in 6 white and 3 gray rabbits could be seen while the infiltration of the lymphocytes in the left eyes was much reduced.Conclusion Intravitreal injection of a small amount of FK506 at the first 3 months after transplantation may significantly improve the survival of heteroplastic RPE cells in the subretinal space of rabbits. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：333-404)