Retinal pigment epithelial function: a role for CFTR?

In the vertebrate eye, the photoreceptor outer segments and the apical membrane of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are separated by a small extracellular (subretinal) space whose volume and chemical composition varies in the light and dark. Light onset triggers relatively fast (ms) retinal responses and much slower voltage and resistance changes (s to min) at the apical and basolateral membranes of the RPE. Two of these slow RPE responses, the fast oscillation (FO) and the light peak, are measured clinically as part of the electrooculogram (EOG).

P2 purinoceptors regulate calcium-activated chloride and fluid transport in 31EG4 mammary epithelia.

It has been reported that secretory mammary epithelial cells (MEC) release ATP, UTP, and UDP upon mechanical stimulation. Here we examined the physiological changes caused by ATP/UTP in nontransformed, clonal mouse mammary epithelia (31EG4 cells). In control conditions, transepithelial potential (apical side negative) and resistance were -4.

The P2Y(2) receptor agonist INS37217 stimulates RPE fluid transport in vitro and retinal reattachment in rat.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of INS37217, a synthetic P2Y(2) receptor agonist, on intracellular calcium signaling, electrophysiology, and fluid transport in vitro and on experimentally induced retinal detachment in rat eyes in vivo.

Methods: Freshly isolated monolayers of bovine and human fetal RPE were mounted in Ussing chambers for measurements of cytosolic calcium levels ([Ca(2+)](i)), membrane voltages and resistances, and transepithelial fluid transport. Retinal detachments were experimentally produced in Long-Evans rats by injecting modified phosphate-buffered saline into the subretinal space (SRS).