[Expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-1 in human scleral fibroblasts].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the presence of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors-1 (mAChRs-1) in human sclera in order to determine whether the sclera is a potential site of action for mAChR antagonists.


METHODS
Cell lines of human scleral fibroblasts were cultured in Dulbecco Modified Eagle's Medium. Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of M1 receptors in the fibroblasts. Immunocytochemistry was used to detect proteins of mAChRs in the cell lines. Immunohistochemical study was used to further detect the presence of M1 receptor in the frozen scleral sections.


RESULTS
The cultured fibroblasts demonstrated mRNA expression of M1 receptor in RT-PCR. Protein of the M1 was present in the fibroblasts by examination of immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry staining.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated the presence of M1 receptor in human scleral fibroblasts at both mRNA and protein levels. This finding indicates that the sclera is a potential site of action for the currently used mAChR antagonists in prevention of human myopia.
Zhou
Xiang-tian
XT
School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325003, China.
Zhang
Li-hua
LH
Lü
Fan
F
Xie
Ruo-zhong
RZ
Hu
Dan-ning
DN
Fu
Xiao-ying
XY
Qu
Jia
J
D002460:Cell Line; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D043643:Receptor, Muscarinic M1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012590:Sclera / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D043643:Receptor, Muscarinic M1