title: Human complement factor H and factor H-like protein 1 are expressed in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A common haplotype in the gene for the regulator of the alternative pathway of complement activation factor H has been linked to individual predisposition to age- related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, i.e. immortalized ARPE-19 as well as primary human RPE cells, were investigated for expression of factor H and FHL-1 by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Factor H and the alternative spliced product FHL-1 are expressed in RPE cells, i.e. in immortalized ARPE-19 and primary human RPE cells. Factor H and FHL-1 expression was induced in a dose-dependent manner in ARPE-19 cells upon treatment with the inflammatory marker interleukin-6 (IL-6). In situ hybridization experiments confirmed an elevated expression rate of the factor H gene in IL-6-treated ARPE-19 cells. AMD is characterized by complement-associated inflammatory processes in the retina. Thus, local synthesis of complement regulators affects the protection of retinal cells and may be involved in the pathogenesis at the RPE-choroid interface.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas W A
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Weinberger
authors.forename: Cordula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eddahabi
authors.forename: Dörthe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carstesen
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Zipfel
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Skerka
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D003180:Complement C3b Inactivator Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D017242:Complement Factor H / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014019:Tissue Donors
chemical_list: C493495:CFH protein, human; C517621:CFHR1 protein, human; D003180:Complement C3b Inactivator Proteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D017242:Complement Factor H