Thrombospondin-1 is produced by retinal glial cells and inhibits the growth of vascular endothelial cells.

Background/aims: By the release of antiangiogenic factors, Müller glial cells provide an angiostatic environment in the normal and ischemic retina. We determined whether Müller cells produce thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a known inhibitor of angiogenesis.

Methods: Secretion of TSP-1 by cultured Müller cells was determined with ELISA.

Müller glial cells inhibit proliferation of retinal endothelial cells via TGF-β2 and Smad signaling.

Neovascularization is a sight-threatening complication of ischemic proliferative retinopathies. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, a cytokine with multiple functions in the retina, participates in the control of pathological angiogenesis and neovascularization. Retinal glial (Müller) cells produce TGF-β2 under physiological and post-ischemic conditions.

Effects of arteriolar constriction on retinal gene expression and Müller cell responses in a rat model of branch retinal vein occlusion.

Background: To investigate the effect of induced arteriolar constriction (AC) on alterations in gene expression of factors implicated in the development of edema in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Methods: In Brown-Norway rats, BRVO was induced by laser photocoagulation of the veins in one half of the retina. AC of the afferent arterioles was performed 30 min later.

Basic fibroblast growth factor contributes to a shift in the angioregulatory activity of retinal glial (Müller) cells.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with pro-angiogenic and neurotrophic effects. The angioregulatory role of this molecule may become especially significant in retinal neovascularization, which is a hallmark of a number of ischemic eye diseases. This study was undertaken to reveal expression characteristics of bFGF, produced by retinal glial (Müller) cells, and to determine conditions under which glial bFGF may stimulate the proliferation of retinal microvascular endothelial cells.

Three-dimensional spheroidal culture visualization of membranogenesis of Bruch's membrane and basolateral functions of the retinal pigment epithelium.

Purpose: Aging changes in the RPE involve lipid accumulation and membranous basal deposits onto the underlying Bruch's membrane, which may be related to AMD. Conventional in vitro cell culture is limited in its ability to observe the epithelial functions on the basal side. The purpose of this study was to develop a three-dimensional culture system to observe basolateral functions of the RPE.