EFFECT OF HUMAN VITREOUS AND HYALOCYTE-DERIVED FACTORS ON VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL-CELL GROWTH

Purpose: In the present study we have examined the effects of human Vi treous and hyalocyte-conditioned medium on human umbilical vein endoth elial cells (HUVEC). Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells w ere cultured and treated in quadruplicate with human vitreous and hyal ocyte-conditioned medium at different concentrations. Cell numbers wer e counted on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Morphological changes and the viabili ty of cells after treatment were also monitored. Results: The results indicate that both human vitreous and hyalocyte-conditioned medium inh ibit proliferation and reduce the viability of HUVEC in vitro. These i nhibitory effects were dose-and time-dependent. Conclusions: The obser vations suggest that human hyalocytes and vitreous contain anti-angiog enic factors that influence vascular endothelial cell growth. These re sults, combined with those of previous studies, may yield important in formation about the functional role of vitreous and hyalocytes in intr aocular vascular regression.