PMID: 8449685Mar 1, 1993Paper

Corneal endothelial modulation: a factor released by leukocytes induces basic fibroblast growth factor that modulates cell shape and collagen

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
E P KayR E Smith

Abstract

We have previously reported that corneal endothelial modulation takes place when rabbit corneal endothelial (CE) cells are exposed to corneal endothelium modulation factor (CEMF) released by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) (Kay, E. P., L. Rivela, and Y. G. He, 1990. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 31:313-322). The modulation was involved in phenotypic switches from polygonal cell shape to fibroblastic morphology and from basement membrane collagen (type IV-rich) synthesis to fibrillar collagen (type I-rich) synthesis. In the current study, we tested the effect of several growth-modulating factors on corneal endothelial modulation. The effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on cell proliferation was measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and cell numbers. Collagen expression was determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by Northern blot analysis. Transcription rate was determined by nuclear run-off assay. Basic fibroblast growth factor synthesis was analyzed by immunoblot assay and quantitated by ELISA assay. Immunofluorescent staining was used for in vivo localization of bFGF and its receptors. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) supplemented with heparin is able to modulate the same phenotypes...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Basement Membranes

Basement membranes are thin, specialized extracellular matrices surrounding most tissues in all metazoans. Here is the latest research on basement membranes.