Abstract
Purpose: :
Ocular angiogenesis is regulated by a number of polypeptides including cytokines and growth factors which are known to affect vascular endothelial cell functions. In the previous reports, we have shown interactions between vitreous-derived cells (hyalocytes) and endothelial cells, and certain effects of cytokines on the above cells.
Methods: :
To determine the effects of various chemical agents on the viability of endothelial cells in the co-culture system with porcine hyalocytes. The viability of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) with or without porcine hyalocytes was measured by MTT assay in the presence of IL-1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF or VEGF. These effects were compared with the viability of HRECs co-cultured with porcine hyalocytes. We examined the effects of bevacizumab, fenofibrate, and dexamethasone.
Results: :
The viability of HRECs was increased by exposure to IL-1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF or VEGF. The viability of HRECs was also increased by the co-culture with porcine hyalocytes in the presence of IL-1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF or VEGF. Bevacizumab decreased the viability of HRECs stimulated by VEGF without porcine hyalocytes at 10µg/ml, and the effect of bevacizumab to block VEGF fucntions was decreased in the presence of hyalocytes 100µg/ml of bevacizumab was required to block VEGF effects. Fenofibrate (a lipid-modifying agent: 5 µg/ml) decreased the viability of HRECs stimulated by IL-1β or VEGF without hyalocytes, and did not decrease the viability of HRECs with hyalocytes. Dexamethasone (50µg/ml) decreased the viability of HRECs stimulated by IL-1, IL-1β, IL-6 or VEGF without hyalocytes, and did not decrease the viability of HRECs with hyalocytes.
Conclusions: :
HRECs decreased the effects of agents (bevacizumab, fenofibrate or desamethozone) in the presence with porcine hyalocytes. These results suggest that the co-culture system is a good candidate to evaluate effects of bio-acitve agents on the cultured cells.
Keywords: cytokines/chemokines • vitreous • vascular endothelial growth factor