ABSTRACT
We studied the effect of bFGF on human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro In ARPE-19 cells, enhanced expression of KLF4 mRNA and reduced expression of PAX6, MITF, and OTX2 mRNA specific for retinal pigment epithelium were observed after bFGF application. The expression of KLF4 mRNA peaked in 72 h after bFGF application and then sharply decreased, which was accompanied by a 3-fold increase in TUBB3 mRNA expression (neuronal marker). Immunocytochemical analysis showed that in the presence of bFGF, some cells retained epithelial properties and showed positive staining for connexin-43, while others had long axon-like processes and demonstrated positive staining for ßIII-tubulin, which attests to their neuronal transdifferentiation. Despite the prevalence of the epithelial properties, ARPE-19 cells under the influence of bFGF can show proneuronal properties.
Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation/physiology , Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism , Neurons/cytology , Neurons/metabolism , Cell Differentiation/genetics , Connexin 43/metabolism , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Kruppel-Like Factor 4 , Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor/metabolism , Otx Transcription Factors/metabolism , PAX6 Transcription Factor/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Tubulin/metabolismABSTRACT
Human recombinant protein Wnt7a (hrWnt7a) inhibits cell proliferative activity and triggers cell polarization. Although cell polarization process was maintained only over a short time, probably via microenvironmental stimuli, hrWnt7a is involved in the transformation of the retinal pigment epithelium. Analysis of Wnt signaling pathway and its regulation will help to understand the processes in retinal pigment epithelial cells under pathological conditions, which can be useful in developing new generation drugs.
Subject(s)
Retinal Pigment Epithelium/physiology , Wnt Proteins/physiology , Cell Movement , Cell Polarity , Cell Proliferation , Cell Shape , Cells, Cultured , Epithelial Cells/physiology , Female , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The results of the polymerase chain reaction studies performed in 2006-2008 were used to make a retrospective analysis of the detection of urogenital herpesvirus infections in reproductive-aged women constituting the urban population of the central region of Russia. The study used both monotarget and mutiplex test systems to detect herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus types 6 and 7. A total of about 7.500 referrals; the detection rate for HSV was about 1%; that for CMV was from 0.3 in 2006 to 1% in 2008; that for EBV was from 0.1% in 2006 to 0.3% in 2008. More than a half of HSV-, CMV-, or EBY-positive samples also contained DNA of other causative agents and some samples did two pathogens or more. Multiplex test systems for herpesviruses considerably enhance the efficiency of diagnostic studies and reduce the material and time costs of diagnosis.
