Profound re-organization of cell surface proteome in equine retinal pigment epithelial cells in response to in vitro culturing.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the cell surface proteome of native compared to cultured equine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. The RPE plays an essential role in visual function and represents the outer blood-retinal barrier. We are investigating immunopathomechanisms of equine recurrent uveitis, an autoimmune inflammatory disease in horses leading to breakdown of the outer blood-retinal barrier and influx of autoreactive T-cells into affected horses' vitrei.

Changes in intraocular lens surface roughness during cataract surgery assessed by atomic force microscopy.

Purpose: To analyze the changes in optic surface roughness before and after injection of various intraocular lens (IOL) models using atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Settings: Departments of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, General Hospital Linz and University Hospital Basel; Upper Austria University, School of Applied Health and Social Sciences, Linz, Austria.

Design: Experimental study.

Negative regulation of RPE cell attachment by carbohydrate-dependent cell surface binding of galectin-3 and inhibition of the ERK-MAPK pathway.

Adhesion and spreading of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells on fibronectin-rich extracellular matrices is a crucial event in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). In the present study we explored the capacity of galectin-3, a β-galactoside-binding endogenous lectin, to inhibit early PVR-associated cellular events from a therapeutic perspective. We assessed the relative expression levels of galectin-3 in native RPE and dedifferentiated, cultured RPE.

Inhibition of human retinal pigment epithelial cell attachment, spreading, and migration by the human lectin galectin-1.

Purpose: Adhesion and migration of dislocated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are initial steps in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). The role of the endogenous lectin, galectin-1, in attachment, spreading, and migration of human RPE cells was investigated from a therapeutic perspective.

Methods: Human RPE cells were treated with galectin-1 concentrations that ranged 0-250 microg/ml.

ARMS2 is a constituent of the extracellular matrix providing a link between familial and sporadic age-related macular degenerations.

Purpose: SNPs in chromosomal region 10q26 harboring PLEKHA1, ARMS2, and Htra1 showed the strongest association with age-related macular degeneration. Recent evidence suggests that in patients homozygous for the risk allele, the lack of synthesis of the poorly characterized ARMS2 is causative of this disorder. The present study was undertaken to gain an understanding of the genuine (patho)physiological role of this protein.

Oxidative stress-mediated induction of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in human RPE cells.

Purpose: In early exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), segmental thinning of Bruch's membrane is associated with ingrowth of choroidal neovascularization into the subretinal space. To determine whether there is a link between oxidative stress and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by the retinal pigment epithelium, the present study focused on the effect of oxidative stress on MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression, two enzymes with substrate specificity for components of Bruch's membrane.

Methods: Cultured human RPE cells were exposed to oxidative stress.