title: Collagen production by cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells.
abstract: We investigated extracellular matrix produced by human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) in vitro using electron microscopy and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The thickness of the matrix under the cell layer was about 30 microns after 360 days of culture. It consisted mainly of fibrous and granular components. Type IV and V collagen were detected but type I and III were not detected by ELISA. It appeared that RPE can secrete type IV and V collagen and form a thick membrane which may cause proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) by contraction. Control of RPE proliferation and secretion of extracellular matrix is indispensable for prevention of PVR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kigasawa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Obazawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Minamoto
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*