Modulation of the resistance of a human endothelial cell line by human retinal glia.
BACKGROUND
Human umbilical endothelial cells were used to model the vascular component of the blood-retinal barriers and to examine the capacity of glial cultures to modulate endothelial cell resistivity in vitro.


METHODS
Endothelial cell resistivity was monitored with and without cocultured human retinal glia. Immunohistochemistry indicated that both macroglia and microglia were present in one culture, while only macroglia were detectable in the second culture.


RESULTS
Both cocultures produced increased resistivity in the target endothelial cells; however, a further significant increase in resistivity was noted with the glial coculture containing microglia. The results suggest that the presence of microglia significantly increases the capacity of astrocytes and Müller cells to modulate endothelial cell resistivity.
Department of Clinical Ophthalmology and Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. claudia@eye.usyd.edu.au
C M
CM
Diaz
P L
PL
Penfold
J M
JM
Provis
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D001813:Blood-Retinal Barrier / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008954:Models, Biological; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II