Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To examine the effects of platelet–derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFBF), insulin–like growth factor–1 (IGF–1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFß2) on porcine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell migration and proliferation on an extracellular matrix–preserving organ culture system. Methods: Cultured porcine RPE cells harvested as a monolayer with native extracellular matrix were pretreated with 10 ng/ml PDGF, bFGF, aFGF, IGF–1, EGF, or TGFß2. RPE cell migration studies were performed on a Bruch’s membrane–choroid–sclera organ culture system containing native extracellular matrix. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay after growth factor stimulation for 24 h. Migration was measured as the number of cells that had migrated beyond the monolayer periphery after 20 h. Results: RPE cell migration was not significantly enhanced after incubation with all the growth factors. RPE cell proliferation was significantly enhanced by bFGF (196% compared to the negative control, P < 0.05), but not by PDGF, aFGF, IGF–1, EGF or TGFß2. Conclusions: The peptide growth factors do not enhance RPE cell migration if native extracellular matrix is preserved. Basic FGF further stimulate cell proliferation in the presence of extracellular matrix. Peptide growth factors have less effect on cell migration and proliferation while the native extracellular matrix is present in a Bruch’s membrane–choroid–sclera organ culture system.
Keywords: retinal pigment epithelium • growth factors/growth factor receptors • extracellular matrix