In situ Localization of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Protein and mRIMA in the Retina

Abstract

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) protein has been recognized as a potent factor for angiogenesis and as a mitogen. The sites of basic FGF in the mammalian retina have varied from report to report. On the other hand, only the inner segments of the photoreceptor cells have been reported to synthesize basic FGF as revealed by the presence of mRNA for basic FGF by in situ hybridization. To define the sites of basic FGF and its mRNA in the human retina, we immunohistochemically localized basic FGF protein and mRNA for basic FGF by in situ hybridization in normal human retinas. Basic FGF protein was found in the ganglion cell layer, the inner and outer nuclear layers, and the basement membranes of Müller cells (the inner limiting membrane), blood vessels, and the retinal pigment epithelium (Bruch’s membrane). The mRNA for basic FGF was found in the cells of the ganglion cell layer, the inner nuclear layer, and the outer nuclear layer, and the inner segments of the photoreceptor cells. These findings suggest that basic FGF in the human retina functions in both an auto-crine as well as a paracrine fashion.

Pigment-Epithelium-Derived Factor Is Upregulated in Photocoagulated Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

“…It has been shown that several key angiogenic factors are produced primarily by nonvascular retinal cells, including ganglion cells, glial cells and RPE cells [11][12][13][14] . Moreover, nonvascular retinal cells have been identifi ed as a potential source of molecules with antiangiogenic properties.…”

“…The RT reaction was performed with 1 g of RNA of each sample, with Superscript II reverse transcriptase (Gibco BRL, Eggenstein, Germany) and oligo (dT) [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] primers. For determination of PEDF mRNA, the reverse transcript was incubated with Taq polymerase and primers PEDFfwd (5 -GTC TTT GAG AAG AAG CTG CGC-3 ) at position 564-584 and PEDFrev (5 -TCC ACC TTG AGT CAG CTT GAT-3 ) at position 1187-1207 (Genbank accession No.…”

Localization patterns of fibroblast growth factor 1 and its receptors FGFR1 and FGFR2 in postnatal mouse retina

“…In particular, we have demonstrated that, in the mouse retina, this growth factor is present in all ganglion cells and not in displaced amacrine cells. Other members of the FGF family, such as FGF2 (or "basic" FGF), FGF5, and FGF15 have been detected in ganglion cells, or at least in the GCL, of mammalian retinas (Connolly et al 1992;Gao and Hollyfield 1992;Kitaoka et al 1994;Kurose et al 2004;Miyashiro et al 1998;Ohsato et al 1997;Yamamoto et al 1996). With regard to our finding of FGF1 in horizontal cells, a general diffuse presence of FGF immunoreactivity or mRNA has previously been reported in the INL (Jacquemin et al 1990Kitaoka et al 1994;Lovicu et al 1997;Noji et al 1990); this might indicate the presence of FGF1 not only in horizontal cells, but also in bipolar and/or amacrine cells.…”

“…These observations are probably consistent with our finding of FGF1 immunoreactivity within IPL nerve fibers, which do not appear to belong to ganglion cell dendritic trees. Several studies suggest the presence of other members of the FGF family, mainly FGF2 but also FGF5, FGF9, and FGF21, in amacrine cells and in horizontal and/or bipolar cells (Cinaroglu et al 2005;Connolly et al 1992;Gao and Hollyfield 1992;Kitaoka et al 1994;Kurose et al 2004;Lovicu et al 1997;Miyashiro et al 1998;Ohsato et al 1997;Yamamoto et al 1996). We have also observed faint FGF1 immunoreac- tivity in the photoreceptor inner and outer segments, consistent with previous reports of the presence of FGF1 in photoreceptors or in the ONL of various mammalian retinas (Bugra and Hicks 1997;Bugra et al 1993;Caruelle et al 1989;Jacquemin et al 1990Jacquemin et al , 1993Kitaoka et al 1994;Lovicu et al 1997;Noji et al 1990).…”

Rod Outer Segment Maintenance Is Enhanced in the Presence of bFGF, CNTF and GDNF

“…survival time in cells from young rat retinas. The mRNA for bFGF has been found in human photoreceptor inner segments (Ohsato et al, 1997). Recently, Li, Chang and Milam (1997) have described a gradient of bFGF immunoreactivity in human rods ; from 0n5 % of rods in the macula increasing to as much as 88 % of rods in the far periphery.…”