Induction of apoptosis in rat retinal cell cultures by partially fluorinated alkanes.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether the partially fluorinated alkanes (PFAs) perfluorobutylbutane (O(44)), perfluorohexylethan (O(62)), and the oligomer OL(62HV), recently proposed as artificial vitreous replacements (AVRs), have pro-apoptotic effect in rat retinal cultures.


METHODS
Laboratory investigation.


METHODS
Rat retinal cell cultures were seeded onto microporous inserts to study AVR-cell interaction without impairing cell survival. Cells were treated for 24 hours with O(62), O(44), and OL(62HV). Apoptosis was analyzed by transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling assay and Hoechst stain.


RESULTS
O(44) and O(62) did not affect structural organization and cell survival in retinal cell cultures; however, OL(62HV) induced increased apoptosis compared with control cultures.


CONCLUSIONS
OL(62HV), a high-viscosity PFA, induces severe retinal damage in human eyes, although it successfully passed animal experimentation. Our in vitro study showed a remarkable pro-apoptotic effect of OL(62HV) and suggests that in vitro tests can contribute to AVR biocompatibility assessment.
Malchiodi-Albedi
Fiorella
F
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. malchiod@iss.it
Matteucci
Andrea
A
Formisano
Giuseppe
G
Paradisi
Silvia
S
Carnovale-Scalzo
Giovanna
G
Scorcia
Giovanni
G
Hoerauf
Hans
H
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012160:Retina / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology*
D005466:Fluorocarbons; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions