Human retinal Müller cells synthesize collagens of the vitreous and vitreoretinal interface in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the capacity of cultured Müller cells to synthesize collagens, since previous studies indicated that Müller cells could be involved in collagen remodeling at the vitreoretinal border in adult human eyes.


METHODS
Spontaneously immortalized cultured human Müller cells were analyzed for the presence of mRNA of types I-VII, IX, XI, and XVII collagen by RT-PCR. Furthermore, Müller cells were immunocytochemically stained for light microscopic (LM) evaluation of these collagens and their main characteristics. Finally, cell extracts and culture medium were evaluated by western blot (WB) analysis using anticollagen antibodies.


RESULTS
Cultured Müller cells contained mRNA for types I-VII, IX, and XI collagen, but not for type XVII collagen. LM and WB confirmed the intracellular expression of all the above-mentioned collagens with the exception of type XVII. Collagen secretion into the medium was established for types I-VII, IX, and XI collagen.


CONCLUSIONS
Cultured Müller cells can synthesize internal limiting lamina and vitreous collagens. Possible collagen production by Müller cells could explain and expand on previous in vivo morphological findings in the embryonic and postnatal period and in pathologic conditions.
Ponsioen
Theodorus L
TL
University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Department of Ophthalmology, Groningen, The Netherlands. t.l.ponsioen@ohk.umcg.nl
van Luyn
Marja J A
MJ
van der Worp
Roelofje J
RJ
Pas
Hendri H
HH
Hooymans
Johanna M M
JM
Los
Leonoor I
LI
D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism*
D003470:Culture Media; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003094:Collagen