The Role of Alkylphosphocholines in Retinal Müller Glial Cell Proliferation

Abstract

Purpose: Alkylphosphocholines (APCs) are investigated for their effect on Müller glial cell proliferation and F-actin stress fiber distribution in vitro. Materials and Methods: Müller cells were incubated with APCs (C18:1-PC and C22:1-PC) ± fetal calf serum. Proliferation was assessed by BrdU labeling and with the tetrazolium dye-reduction assay. Toxicity was measured using the trypan blue exclusion assay. The distribution of F-actin stress fibers was determined using FITC-phalloidin staining. Results: APCs are effective inhibitors of human and rat Müller glial cell proliferation and hypoxia-induced up-regulation of F-actin stress fibers in vitro in non-toxic concentrations. Conclusions: APCs might prevent intraretinal changes as a result of serum stimulation and hypoxia following retinal detachment.

KEYWORDS:

• cell culture
• Müller glial cells
• retinal cells
• vitreoretinal disease
• vitreoretinal pharmacology