Effect of retinoic acid on expression of transforming growth factor-beta by retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of retinoic acid on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) by human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in culture.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Expression of TGF-beta 1 by RPE cells after 24 hours in culture at the messenger RNA level (Northern analysis) and the protein level (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]).

RESULTS

On the basis of cell morphology, growth characteristics and the results of immunohistochemical studies, we concluded that the cells used in these experiments were RPE in origin. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed TGF-beta 1 expression by the RPE cells in culture. Densitometry showed that retinoic acid reduced the level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression by 41% compared with control samples. ELISA showed that retinoic acid inhibited TGF-beta expression when compared with the baseline level of TGF-beta in media from RPE cells in culture.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings may have implications for the pharmacotherapy of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.