Expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid channels TRPV5 and TRPV6 in retinal pigment epithelium.

Purpose: Hydration and ionic composition of the subretinal space (SRS) is modulated by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In particular calcium concentration (Ca(2+)) in the SRS varies with light exposure, and although this change is regulated by RPE transport activity, the specific transport proteins involved have yet to be defined. Two members of the transient receptor potential vanilloid family, TRPV5 and TRPV6, are calcium selective ion channels and are known to be expressed in calcium-transporting epithelial tissues.

Zebrafish peptidoglycan recognition proteins are bactericidal amidases essential for defense against bacterial infections.

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are structurally conserved through evolution, but their functions in innate immunity are different in invertebrates and vertebrates. We asked what the functions of PGRPs in fish are and whether they are indispensable for defense against infection because fish are the first vertebrates that developed adaptive immunity, but they still rely solely on innate immunity during early development of embryos. We identified and cloned three zebrafish PGRPs and showed that they are highly expressed in eggs, developing embryos, and adult tissues that contact external environment.

The effect of diabetes on neuropeptide content in the rat cornea and iris.

Purpose: To determine the effect of diabetes mellitus on the levels of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the rat cornea and iris.

Methods: Corneas and irides from control and diabetic rats were processed for neuropeptide radioimmunoassay 3 months after induction of diabetes with streptozotocin. Corneas and irides also were processed for SP and CGRP immunohistochemistry and were evaluated qualitatively.

Sensory innervation of the rat kidney and ureter as revealed by the anterograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) from dorsal root ganglia.

The sensory innervation of the rat kidney and ureter was investigated in wholemount preparations and sectioned materials by labeling the afferent nerve fibers with wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) transported anterogradely from dorsal root ganglia. Labeled fibers were seen in large numbers in the ureter and in the lining of the renal pelvis, where they were located in the adventitia, smooth muscle, subepithelial connective tissue, and epithelium. Most of the fibers in the ureter and ureteropelvic junctional zone traveled parallel to the long axis of the organ.