FEBS Letters
Volume 412, Issue 1 , Pages 21-29, 21 July 1997

Inherited retinal degeneration: basic FGF induces phagocytic competence in cultured RPE cells from RCS rats

  • M.J McLaren

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. c/o Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, 1638 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA. Fax: (305) 667-9929. E-mail: glab@mednet.med.miami.edu
    • Formerly M.J. Irons.
    • ,
  • G Inana

      Affiliations

    • Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA

Received 17 March 1997; received in revised form 28 April 1997

Abstract 

In RCS rats, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is defective in phagocytosis of photoreceptor membranes. We have previously shown reduced expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the RPE of 7–10-day-old RCS rats. This study using primary RPE cultures from rats of this age demonstrates that the phagocytic defect in the mutant RPE can be overcome by treatment with bFGF, by a mechanism involving gene transcription and that normal RPE phagocytosis, also requiring transcription, is blocked by a bFGF neutralizing antibody. The combined data point to a role for bFGF in the normal mechanism of RPE phagocytosis and the RCS defect.

Keywords:  Basic fibroblast growth factor , RPE cell , Phagocytosis , RCS rat , Inherited retinal degeneration

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0014-5793(97)00566-8

doi:10.1016/S0014-5793(97)00566-8

FEBS Letters
Volume 412, Issue 1 , Pages 21-29, 21 July 1997

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution