ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF),fibroblast growth factor(FGF), and bovine serum on proliferation and apoptosis of the cultured fetal human retinal cells.MethodsEGF and FGF were added or not to the medium of fetal human retinal cells cultured by bovine serum in vitro. The number of cells, bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU) incorporation and Tdt-mediated dUTP nick end labelling(TUNEL) were detected to determine the proliferation and apoptosis. Immunohistochemical staining of neuron specific enolase(NSE), Thy1.1, glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and scan electromicroscopy were performed to identify cell components. The expression of transcription factor c-fos, c-jun and apoptosis regulation factor bcl-2 and Bax were examined by immunohistochemical staining to explore the underlying mechanism.ResultsThe increased number of NSE and Thy1.1 positive cells and BrdU incorporation, and decreased apoptotic cells were found in the groups treated with EGF and FGF. Meanwhile, the up-regulation of c-fos, c-jun and bcl-2 were also found.ConclusionEGF and FGF can promote the survival and proliferation of cultured retinal cells by up-regulating the expression of c-fos, c-jun and bcl-2.