J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2007 Nov;48(11):1537-1547.

Effects of Exogenous Extracellular Matrix Proteins on the Reattachment of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

• Kim KS
• Kim YC
• Jeon SJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of adding exogenous extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on the reattachment of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) to the damaged surface of Bruch's membrane (BM).
METHODS
Porcine BM explants were divided into six groups: BMs with an intact basal lamina (bl-BM) and five damaged BMs (d-BM: bare & four ECM-coated). The d-BM was coated with ECM proteins (either fibronectin, laminin, collagen IV, or all). Primary RPE sheets were plated and cultured for each group of BM explants. The attached live cells were counted and examined with a scanning electron microscope after three days, as well as at 1, 2 and 4 weeks.
RESULTS
The RPE reattachment rate was highest in bl-BM and lowest in uncoated d-BM. ECM-coated groups showed a lower reattachment rate than bl-BM, but when compared with the uncoated group, the reattachment rate was significantly increased (p<0.05). ECM-exposure time did not influence the reattachment rate of any of the groups. RPE cells plated on bl-BMs and ECM-coated d-BMs attached and proliferated well and achieved confluence over time. Even though most cells were flat and large in shape, some cells revealed a good morphology with microvilli on their surface. On the other hand, only some of the RPE sheets plated on the uncoated d-BM attached loosely and most cells remained round and clumped.
CONCLUSIONS
These results show that the addition of ECM proteins may increase the ability of RPE cells to reattach to the damaged BM surface, which would likely create a good morphology.

Keyword

Bruch's membrane; Exogenous extracellular matrix proteins; Retinal pigment epithelial cells

MeSH Terms

Basement Membrane
Bruch Membrane
Collagen
Epithelial Cells*
Extracellular Matrix Proteins*
Extracellular Matrix*
Fibronectins
Hand
Laminin
Microvilli
Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Retinaldehyde*
Collagen
Extracellular Matrix Proteins
Fibronectins
Laminin
Retinaldehyde

Figure

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  Figure 1. Reattachment rate of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells onto the Bruch's membrane (BM).

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  Figure 2. Scanning electron microscopic findings of RPE sheets cultured on BMs 3 days after plating.

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  Figure 3. Scanning electron microscopic findings of RPE sheets cultured on BMs 1 week after plating.

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  Figure 4. Scanning electron microscopic findings of RPE sheets cultured on BMs 2 weeks after plating.

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  Figure 5. Scanning electron microscopic findings of RPE sheets cultured on BMs 4 weeks after plating.

Reference

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