MODULATION OF THE RESISTANCE OF A HUMAN ENDOTHELIAL-CELL LINE BY HUMAN RETINAL GLIA

Background: Human umbilical endothelial cells were used to model the v ascular component of the blood-retinal barriers and to examine the cap acity of glial cultures to modulate endothelial cell resistivity in vi tro. Methods: Endothelial cell resistivity was monitored with and with out cocultured human retinal glia. Immunohistochemistry indicated that both macroglia and microglia were present in one culture, while only macroglia were detectable in the second culture. Results: Both cocultu res produced increased resistivity in the target endothelial cells; ho wever; a further significant increase in resistivity was noted with th e glial coculture containing microglia. The results suggest that the p resence of microglia significantly increases the capacity of astrocyte s and Muller cells to modulate endothelial cell resistivity.