[The response of bFGF, FGFR1, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 to visible light in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium cells].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the expression of bFGF, FGFR1, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 in human RPE cells exposed to visible light in vitro.


METHODS
Cultured human RPE cells were exposed to visible light [(2,000 +/- 500) Lux] for 12 hours. Immunocytochemical staining, enzyme-linked assays and RT-PCR were used to determine the expression of bFGF and its receptor FGFR1, Bcl-2 as well as the activity of caspase-3.


RESULTS
(1) Bcl-2 was detected in normal cultured human RPE cells. No significant change was found at 6 or 12 hours after light exposure (P > 0.05). But 24 hours after exposure, a significantly decreasing of Bcl-2 expression was observed (P < 0.01). The changes in expression of Bcl-2 mRNA paralleled to the changes in its protein, except that differences could be detected earlier viz. 12 hours after exposure. (2) The upregulation of bFGF and FGFR1 mRNA expression occurred with longer period of light exposure (P < 0.05). (3) The upregulation of caspase-3 activity was detected 6 hours after light exposure, and was more significant over 6 hours and 12 hours (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between 12 hours and 24 hours exposure (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Visible light exposure over threshold causes upregulation of endogenous bFGF and FGFR1, downregulation of Bcl-2 and activation of caspase-3 in human RPE cells.
Zhou
Yong-dong
YD
Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. zydon@163.net
Yan
Mi
M
Zhang
Jun-jun
JJ
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008027:Light; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; C496348:FGFR1 protein, human; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases