ABSTRACT
An electrophysiological bioassay system has been developed to provide safety-related information about the functional consequences of non-thermal laser irradiation of the vertebrate retina. This in vitro preparation allows precise dosimetry at the retinal surface, provides for an intra-retinal control, comparing lased vs non-lased tissue, and permits quantitative assessment of the biophysical mechanisms of laser-induced retinal dysfunction.
Subject(s)
Eye/radiation effects , Lasers/adverse effects , Animals , Computers , Electroretinography/instrumentation , Electroretinography/methods , In Vitro Techniques , Optics and Photonics/instrumentation , Photoreceptor Cells/radiation effects , Retina/radiation effects , TurtlesABSTRACT
pppA2'p5'A2'p5'A(2'-5'P3A3) activates macrophages and increases the phagocytosis of macrophages from different species including human beings. This indicates that the activation of macrophages may be a general action of 2'-5'P3A3. This discovery broadens the effect of 2'-5'P3A3 beyond the antiviral field. alpha-Feto-protein (AFP) inhibits the phagocytosis of macrophages and may be involved in the development of hepatoma. Data presented here show that 2'-5'P3A3 can antagonize this suppressive effect of AFP. Methods used so far for introducing 2'-5'P3A3 into the cells were made with the aid of CaCl2, etc. under conditions which may not be the same as those used clinically. It was found that 2'-5'P3A3 can develop its biological effect without the aid of CaCl2, etc.
