The Effect of ECMs on MHC Class II Molecule Expression in Retinal Pigment Epithelium

ABSTRACT

Expression of MHC class II molecule by retinal pigment epithelial cells and the interaction of the cell with extracellular matrix molecules involve in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and chorioretinitis. In this study interferon-gammainduced the expression of MHC class II molecules on RPEJ cells. Extracellular matrix molecules increased the interferon-gamma-i n d u c e d expression of MHC class II molecules. TGF-beta2 inhibited the interferon-gammainduced expression of MHC class II molecules. However, there was no significant effect on such inhibitory function according to the types of extracellular matrix molecules. Blocking the autocrine effect of TGF-beta2 by the specific antisense oligonucleotides decreased its inhibitory function. PLC-gamma1-specific antisense oligonucleotide inhibited the effect of TGF-beta2, which suggests that PLC-gamma1 involves in the signal transduction of TGF-beta2 on the expression of MHC class II molecules. In conclusion, the present study provides further understandings to the previous knowledge of pathogenesis of immunologic retinal disorders.