Inherited retinal degeneration: basic FGF induces phagocytic competence in cultured RPE cells from RCS rats

• Published in: FEBS letters Vol. 412; no. 1; pp. 21 - 29
• Main Authors: McLaren, M.J, Inana, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 21.07.1997
• Subjects: Animals; Basic fibroblast growth factor; Cells, Cultured; Epidermal Growth Factor - pharmacology; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - pharmacology; Inherited retinal degeneration; Nerve Growth Factors - pharmacology; Phagocytosis; Pigment Epithelium of Eye - physiopathology; Rats; Rats, Mutant Strains; RCS rat; Retinal Degeneration - genetics; Retinal Degeneration - physiopathology; RPE cell; RPE cell; RCS rat; Basic fibroblast growth factor; Inherited retinal degeneration; Phagocytosis

In RCS rats, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is defective in phagocytosis of photoreceptor membranes. We have previously shown reduced expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the RPE of 7–10-day-old RCS rats. This study using primary RPE cultures from rats of this age demonstrate...