title: A retina-derived stimulator(s) of retinal pigment epithelial cell and astrocyte proliferation.
abstract: Retinal detachments are frequently accompanied by retinal pigment epithelial cell and glial cell proliferation. This may be important in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and may also play a role in the failure of some eyes to regain visual function despite anatomically successful retinal reattachment surgery. In this study, we demonstrate that a retina-derived substance or substances stimulates the proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial cells (250% above control) and astrocytes (150% above control) in vitro. The stimulation of proliferation occurs in the absence of serum, but is accentuated by serum. There is some degree of target-cell specificity as there is no stimulation of smooth-muscle-cell proliferation. Morphologic changes induced in the proliferating cell types as well as preliminary characterization suggest that one or more of the previously described eye-derived growth factors may be involved.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D002417:Cattle; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D012160:Retina / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; C039825:eye-derived growth factor; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors