Ij. Wang et al., Influence of destruction of retina-RPE complex on the proliferation of scleral chondrocytes in chicks, J OCUL PH T, 14(5), 1998, pp. 429-436
We studied the role of the retina-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) complex
in the proliferation of scleral chondrocytes in chicks. Seventy-two chicks
were allocated to one of four groups: intravitreal gentamicin (400 mu g) in
jection (destruction of retina-RPE complex); intravitreal gentamicin inject
ion with goggling; goggling only (form-deprivation myopia); and intravitrea
l saline injection (control). The chicks were killed and retina-RPE complex
es were harvested under a microscope. Retina-RPE complexes were then co-cul
tured with primary culture of first day scleral chondrocytes in Transwell-C
OL co-culture systems (Costar), with two different pore sizes (0.4 and 3.0
mu m) and serum-deprivation medium. An MTT assay was performed at A(550) af
ter 4 days. In the 0.4 mu m pore size system, the absorbency at A(550) show
ed no differences between groups. However, in the 3.0 mu m pore size system
, the absorbency at A(550s) (p<0.05), indicating that destruction of the re
tina-RPE complex inhibited chondrocyte proliferation. The absorbency in the
goggle group was higher than in the control group (p<0.05). These results
indicate that the retina-RPE complex exerts a positive effect on the prolif
eration of scleral chondrocytes via a molecule sized between 0.4 and 3.0 mu
m in diameter.