Regulation mechanisms of retinal pigment epithelial cell migration by the TGF‐β superfamily

• Published in: Acta ophthalmologica Scandinavica Vol. 81; no. 6; pp. 630 - 638
• Main Authors: Mitsuhiro, Marcia Regina Kimie Higashi, Eguchi, Shuichiro, Yamashita, Hidetoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.12.2003
• Subjects: Activin Receptors, Type I - genetics; Activin Receptors, Type I - metabolism; Activins - pharmacology; Cell Division - drug effects; Cell Line; Cell Movement - drug effects; Cell Nucleus - metabolism; cytokine; Cytoplasm - metabolism; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Inhibin-beta Subunits - pharmacology; Pigment Epithelium of Eye - cytology; Pigment Epithelium of Eye - metabolism; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta - genetics; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta - metabolism; retinal pigment epithelium; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; SMAD; Smad Proteins; Smad1 Protein; Smad2 Protein; Smad3 Protein; Smad4 Protein; Trans-Activators - genetics; Trans-Activators - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta - pharmacology; transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) – activin A; Wound Healing - physiology
• ISSN: 1395-3907; 1600-0420
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1395-3907.2003.00170.x

. Purpose:  To investigate the expression of specific receptors, signal transducers and the effect of transforming growth factor‐β(TGF‐β) on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) migration and proliferation. Methods:  Human RPE cell line D407 was used in all experiments. The effect of TGF‐β on migration and proliferation were studied using a wound healing model and [3H]‐thymidine incorporation, respectively. The expression of RNA related to the TGF‐β superfamily receptors and SMAD1−4 were assayed by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐CPR). The effects of TGF‐β on the intracellular position of SMAD were studied by immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence. Results:  Transforming growth factor‐β 4 nm and activin A 0.36 nm stimulated RPE migration. There was no effect on proliferation. RNA for TGF‐β receptors types 1 and 2, and SMAD1−4 were detected in RPE culture. Transforming growth factor‐β signal transducer SMAD2 but not SMAD1 moved from the cytoplasm to the nucleus after TGF‐β stimulation. Conclusion:  Transforming growth factor‐β can regulate RPE cell migration through specific signal transduction pathways.