Biomedical subjects

F Mascarelli

Publications and source records attributed to F Mascarelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Placental growth factor-1 and epithelial haemato-retinal barrier breakdown: potential implication in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Disruption of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) barrier contributes to sub-retinal fluid and retinal oedema as observed in diabetic retinopathy. High placental growth factor (PLGF) vitreous levels have been found in diabetic patients. This work aimed to elucidate the influence of PLGF-1 on a human RPE cell line (ARPE-19) barrier in vitro and on normal rat eyes in vivo. METHODS: ARPE-19 permeability was measured using transepithelial resistance and inulin flux under stimulation of PLGF-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-E and VEGF 165. Using RT-PCR, we evaluated the effect of hypoxic conditions or insulin on transepithelial resistance and on PLGF-1 and VEGF receptors. The involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK, also known as MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK, also known as EPHB2) signalling pathways under PLGF-1 stimulation was evaluated by western blot analysis and specific inhibitors. The effect of PLGF-1 on the external haemato-retinal barrier was evaluated after intravitreous injection of PLGF-1 in the rat eye; evaluation was by semi-thin analysis and zonula occludens-1 immunolocalisation on flat-mounted RPE. RESULTS: In vitro, PLGF-1 induced a reversible decrease of transepithelial resistance and enhanced tritiated inulin flux. These effects were specifically abolished by an antisense oligonucleotide directed at VEGF receptor 1. Exposure of ARPE-19 cells to hypoxic conditions or to insulin induced an upregulation of PLGF-1 expression along with increased transcellular permeability. The PLGF-1-induced RPE cell permeability involved the MEK signalling pathway. Injection of PLGF-1 in the rat eye vitreous induced an opening of the RPE tight junctions with subsequent sub-retinal fluid accumulation, retinal oedema and cytoplasm translocation of junction proteins. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our results indicate that PLGF-1 may be a potential regulation target for the control of diabetic retinal and macular oedema.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

PubMed2005

[Normal and malignant choroidal melanocytes: from cell to clinical approach].

The molecular and cellular basis of human choroidal malignant melanoma progression has remained largely unknown. However, choroidal melanoma is the most important primary intraocular tumor in adults. Developmentally, choroidal melanocytes are of neural crest origin similar to cutaneous melanocytes. However, there are some significant differences between cutaneous and uveal melanocytes that have yet to be fully assessed. The purpose of this study is to describe choroidal melanocytes. We will describe the significant differences between cutaneous and uveal melanocytes as well as the congenital and acquired diseases of uveal melanocytes. We will then describe the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in melanoma progression.

Cell Proliferation↗

PubMed2004

Fibroblast growth factor-2 induces osteoblast survival through a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent, -beta-catenin-independent signaling pathway.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is an important molecule that controls bone formation through activation of osteoblastic cell replication and differentiation. The role of FGF-2 on human osteoblast survival and the signaling pathway that mediates its effect are not known. We studied the effect of FGF-2 on apoptosis induced by low serum concentration and the signal transduction pathway involved in this effect in human primary calvaria osteoblasts and immortalized osteoblastic cells. Treatment with FGF-2 for 24-48 h protected against osteoblast apoptosis induced by low serum concentration, through specific inhibition of caspase-2 and caspase-3 activity. Pharmacological inhibition of MEK-1 and p38 MAPK had no effect on the inhibition of caspases-2 and -3 induced by FGF-2. In contrast, inhibition of PI3K with LY294002 abolished the FGF-2-induced inhibition of caspases-2 and -3. FGF-2 increased PI3K activity but did not induce phosphorylation of Akt or the downstream effector p70 S6 kinase. FGF-2 also induced GSK-3alpha and beta phosphorylation in osteoblastic cells, which however did not result in beta-catenin accumulation or Lef/Tcf transcriptional activity. In contrast, lithium induced beta-catenin accumulation, Lef/Tcf transcriptional activation and increased caspase-2 and -3 activity. The results indicate that the immediate protective effect of FGF-2 on human osteoblastic cell apoptosis involves PI3K and inhibition of downstream caspases, independently of GSK-3 and beta-catenin-Lef/Tcf-mediated transcription.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2001

Two distinct signalling pathways are involved in FGF2-stimulated proliferation of choriocapillary endothelial cells: a comparative study with VEGF.

In the retina, angiogenesis is an important component of normal physiological events such as embryonic vascular development. It is also involved in pathological processes including diabetic retinopathies and age-related macular degeneration, and tumour growth such as choroidal melanoma. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) are the two major angiogenic factors in the retina. We investigated the mechanism of proliferation and the regulation of the mitogenic properties of FGF2 and VEGF in cultures of chorocapillary endothelial cells (CEC). FGF2 is a strong mitogen for CEC and induced a 2.5-fold increase in cell proliferation after 4 days in culture in the absence of serum. In contrast, VEGF is a poor mitogen for CEC. FGF2, but not VEGF induces a large activation of MEK1, ERK1/2 and P90(RSK) during CEC proliferation. Pharmacological inhibition of Ras processing, and of MEK1 and ERK1/2 activation reduced only by 50% FGF2-induced cell proliferation, suggesting that there is another signalling pathway for CEC proliferation. Pharmacological inhibition of the PI 3-Kinase also inhibits by half FGF2-induced CEC proliferation. FGF2 stimulates the activation of the PI 3-K, P70(S6K) and Akt. Inhibition of both ERK1/2 and PI 3-K activities suppressed FGF2-induced CEC proliferation, demonstrating that CEC proliferation requires both ERKs and PI 3-K pathways. These data on the molecular mechanism and signalling may have important implications for providing more selective methods for anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoural therapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Proliferation of CECs requires dual signaling through both MAPK/ERK and PI 3-K/Akt pathways.

PURPOSE: To analyze the intracellular signaling involved in the proliferation of choroidal endothelial cells (CECs) in vitro. METHODS: Bovine CECs were cultured in endothelial growth medium (EGM) containing 2% fetal calf serum (FCS), 10 microg/ml bovine brain extract (BBE), and 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF) in fibronectin-coated plates. Cells were treated with various specific pharmacologic inhibitors of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) pathways to analyze signaling involved in CEC proliferation. Activation of the MAPK and PI 3-K was detected by Western blot analysis, using specific antiphosphosignaling protein antibodies. RESULTS: FCS, EGF, and BBE were all necessary to induce optimal CEC proliferation. Individually, these three components were not mitogenic. EGM-stimulated CEC proliferation involved the activation of the Raf/mitogen extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/p90(RSK) cascade. Inhibition of Ras resulted in a 92% reduction of CEC proliferation, whereas inhibition of ERK1/2 activity reduced it by only 46%. The PI 3-K/p70(S6K)/Akt pathway was also stimulated during CEC proliferation, and inhibition of PI 3-K activity resulted in a 94% reduction in CEC proliferation. Inhibition of PI 3-K/p70(S6K) activities also unexpectedly inhibited ERK activity, whereas the converse was not observed, suggesting that PI 3-K acted upstream from ERK and controlled this pathway for CEC proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: CEC proliferation involves both ERK and PI 3-K. That PI 3-K signaling is a key component in cell proliferation can be demonstrated by controlling ERK activity. These data on the molecular mechanism and signaling of CEC proliferation may have major implications for developing more selective methods for antiangiogenic and antitumoral therapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

[Control of the intracellular signaling induced by fibroblast growth factors (FGF) over the proliferation and survival of retinal pigment epithelium cells: example of the signaling regulation of growth factors endogenous to the retina ].

Retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells are of central importance in the maintenance of neural retinal function. RPE cell apoptosis is responsible for the development of a variety of retinal degeneration. The role of FGF2 was investigated on RPE cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro. In the absence of serum, RPE cells died by apoptosis, while the addition of FGF2 greatly reduces apoptosis over a 7-day culture period. This is due to an autocrine loop involving secretion of endogenous FGF1 in the mechanism that govern FGF2-induced resistance to apoptosis. FGF2 induces long-term activation of FGFR1 and ERK1/2, and production of the anti-apoptotic protein BcL-x. Because FGF1 has no classical signal sequence to direct its secretion, we investigated the effects of FGF1 secretion on RPE proliferation and apoptosis in the absence of exogenous FGF2. Forced secretion of endogenous FGF1 by adding a signal peptide to the FGF1 molecule induces FGF1 secretion and cell proliferation in the presence of serum, while in FGF1 stops to be secreted and cell die in the absence of serum. Conversely, in cells cultured in the presence of serum, FGF1 without signal peptide is not secreted, but is secreted and rescue RPE cell from apoptosis when cells are cultured without serum. Thus, the proliferation and survival activities of endogenous FGF1 depend on the secretion of FGF1 which is determined by the cell environment.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Regulation of proliferation-survival decisions is controlled by FGF1 secretion in retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) induces proliferation and differentiation in a wide variety of cells of mesodermal and neuroectodermal origin. FGF1 has no 'classical' signal sequence to direct its secretion, and there has been considerable debate concerning FGF1 secretion and its role in the biological activities of FGF1. We investigated the effects of FGF1 secretion and the signalling induced by signal peptide (SP)-containing FGFI and SP-less FGF1, on the proliferation and the apoptosis in retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells. Primary RPE cell cultures were transfected with FGF1 (FGF1 cells) and SP-FGF1 (SP-FGF1 cells) cDNAs. SP-FGF1 cells secreted large amount of FGF1 and actively proliferated, whereas FGF1 and control cells did not. Secreted FGF1 induced short-term activation of both FGFR1 and ERK2, which were required for cell proliferation. In contrast, SP-FGF1 cells stopped secreting FGF1 and died rapidly, if cultured in the absence of serum. Surprisingly, FGF1 cells, but not control cells, secreted FGF1 and were resistant to apoptosis induced by serum depletion. Secreted FGF1 induced long-term activation of FGFR1 and ERK2, which was necessary to induce a constant and high level of Bcl-x production, and to induce cell survival in FGFI cells. Downregulation of ERK2 and Bcl-x increased apoptosis. Thus, the proliferation and survival activities of FGF1 depend on the secretion of FGF1 which is determined by the cell culture conditions. Cell proliferation was SP-dependent, whereas cell survival was not. The signal peptide controls the level and duration, 'whispering or shouting', of ERK2 activation cells which determines FGF1 biological function and may have important implications for anti-degenerative and anti-proliferative treatments.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Regulation of FGF soluble receptor type 1 (SR1) expression and distribution in developing, degenerating, and FGF2-treated retina.

The spatial and temporal patterns of expression and content of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) soluble receptor SR1, a specific inhibitor of FGF, were investigated during embryonic and postnatal development of the retina in Fisher rats. As early as at embryonic day 18 (E18), SR1 mRNA and protein were detected in the retina. SR1 protein was strongly associated with the differentiating ganglion cells and its distribution paralleled the radial pattern of retinal development, from center to periphery. From E18 to postnatal day 5, the levels of both SR1 mRNA and SR1 protein remained constant. Thereafter, they decreased rapidly, by a factor of 5 in the adult retina. SR1 was labeled in the inner nuclear layer, but never in the photoreceptor nuclei. In the neural retina of RCS dystrophic rats, the levels SR1 mRNA and SR1 protein were 2 to 3 times higher than those in the normal congenic controls, before and during photoreceptor degeneration. These results provide the first evidence that a natural FGF inhibitor is regulated during retina development and degeneration and suggest that changes in SR1 content may be involved in the regulation of FGF activities in retina. This was confirmed in vivo in RCS rats, in which delayed photoreceptor apoptosis by intravitreal injection of FGF2 was accompanied by a downregulation of SR1 expression. Dev Dyn 2000;217:24-36.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

[Isolation and culture of bovine choriocapillary endothelial cells using paramagnetic beads coated with Lycopersicon esculentum].

PURPOSE: To establish a pure culture of choriocapillary endothelial cells as a model of angiogenesis in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bovine choriocapillary endothelial cells (BCEC) were obtained by the method described by Hoffmann et al. (6) using the polystyrene paramagnetic beads coated with Lycopersicon esculentum, which attach specifically to the rest of fucose on the surface of microvascular endothelial cells. The endothelial characteristic of the cultured cells was evaluated by immunocytochemistry using anti von Willebrand factor and anti-CD 31 antibodies. Proliferation and survival of BCEC were tested using haemacytometer of Mallasez. RESULTS: The purity of obtained BCEC culture was confirmed by positive immunocytochemical staining with anti von Willebrand and anti factor CD 31 antibodies in more than 95% of cells. The proliferation of cells in Endothelial Cell Medium resulted in twofold increase of number of cells during 4-day observation period. After reaching the confluence, the cells continued to proliferate with increase of the cell number by 60% during 4-day observation. CONCLUSION: The use of paramagnetic beads coated with specific lectine provide a pure isolation of BCEC, which can be maintained in culture with preservation of their characteristic.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Both FGF1 and bcl-x synthesis are necessary for the reduction of apoptosis in retinal pigmented epithelial cells by FGF2: role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2.

Retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells are of central importance in the maintenance of neural retinal function. Changes in the RPE cells associated with repair activities have been described as metaplasia, while RPE cell apoptosis is responsible for the development of a variety of retinal degenerations. We investigated the regulation of the anti-apoptotic properties of the fibroblast growth factors (FGF) 2 in serum-free cultures of RPE cells. In the absence of serum, confluent stationary RPE cells died by apoptosis via a caspase 3-dependent pathway. The addition of FGF2 greatly reduced apoptosis over a 7-day culture period. We demonstrated the involvement of an autocrine loop involving endogenous FGF1 in the mechanisms that govern FGF2-induced resistance to apoptosis by showing: (1) higher levels of apoptosis in cells treated with antisense FGF1 oligonucleotide or after neutralization of excreted FGF1; (2) the long-term activation of FGFR1 and of ERK2, (3) the inhibition of FGFR1 and ERK2 activation and an increase in apoptosis if excreted FGF1 was neutralized. FGF2 also increased the de novo synthesis and the production of Bcl-xl before the onset of apoptosis. Both inhibition of ERK2 activation, which decreased Bcl-xl synthesis, and downregulation of Bcl-x by antisense oligonucleotide treatment inhibited the survival-promoting activity of FGF2. Thus, FGF2-induced cell survival is a progressive adaptive phenomenon involving ERK2 activation by excreted FGF1 and ERK2-dependent Bcl-x production.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

In vivo involvement of heparan sulfate proteoglycan in the bioavailability, internalization, and catabolism of exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor.

The in vivo bioavailability of exogenous fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) was studied after i.v. injection of uniformly 14C-labeled FGF2 into young rats. 14C-FGF2 was rapidly accumulated in almost all solid organs within 5 min. After 30 min, more than 65% of FGF2 was retained in liver, 4.5% in kidneys, 1.2% in spleen, 0.15% in adrenal glands, and trace amounts in bone marrow, eyes, lungs, and heart. Suborgan distribution of 14C-FGF2 showed that for kidneys and adrenal glands, the labeling was mainly concentrated in the cortical zone. Incubation of organ sections with 2 M NaCl or heparin eluted all the radioactivity, indicating that labeling was due to FGF2-heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) interactions. Electrophoretic analysis show only native 14C-FGF2 in the blood and extracellular matrix; however, FGF2 is continuously catabolized in solid organs, indicating that all participate in the clearance of FGF2 by cellular internalization and subsequent catabolism. All FGF2 catabolic fragments bound heparin, demonstrating the preservation of their HSPG-binding site during the in vivo intracellular catabolism of FGF2. Analysis of the high-affinity receptors of FGF2 (FGFR-1 and FGFR-3) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase did not show any increase in either FGFR tyrosine phosphorylation or in mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. This study shows for the first time that exogenous FGF2 is cleared by HSPG cellular internalization and catabolism without inducing the activation of FGFRs within at least five organs in vivo, which strongly suggests that the HSPG-dependent internalization and catabolism pathway may control the in vivo bioavailability of FGF2.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Endogenous FGF1-induced activation and synthesis of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 reduce cell apoptosis in retinal-pigmented epithelial cells.

Retinal-pigmented epithelial (RPE) cell survival is critical to the maintenance of the function of the neural retinal and in the development of various retina degenerations. We investigated molecular mechanisms involved in this function by assessing apoptosis in RPE cells following serum deprivation. Apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal is lower in aged RPE cells because of higher endogenous acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF1) synthesis and secretion. These experiments examined several aspects of FGF signaling and the contribution of endogenous FGF1 to activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2). In aged RPE cells, FGFR1 was rapidly activated, and its autophosphorylation followed the kinetics of endogenous FGF1 secretion, before the onset of apoptosis. ERK2 phosphorylation, activity, and de novo synthesis increased at the same time. In marked contrast, no de novo JNK1 synthesis was observed. MEK1 inhibition resulted in lower levels of ERK2 activation and synthesis and higher levels of apoptosis. Treatment with neutralizing anti-FGF1 or blocking anti-FGFR1 antibodies mimics these effects. Thus, this study strongly suggests that the survival-increasing effect of FGF1 in aged RPE cells is because of an autocrine/paracrine loop in which the ERK2 cascade plays a pivotal role.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) soluble receptor 1 acts as a natural inhibitor of FGF2 neurotrophic activity during retinal degeneration.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) 1 and 2 and their tyrosine kinase receptor (FGFR) are present throughout the adult retina. FGFs are potential mitogens, but adult retinal cells are maintained in a nonproliferative state unless the retina is damaged. Our work aims to find a modulator of FGF signaling in normal and pathological retina. We identified and sequenced a truncated FGFR1 form from rat retina generated by the use of selective polyadenylation sites. This 70-kDa form of soluble extracellular FGFR1 (SR1) was distributed mainly localized in the inner nuclear layer of the retina, whereas the full-length FGFR1 form was detected in the retinal Muller glial cells. FGF2 and FGFR1 mRNA levels greatly increased in light-induced retinal degeneration. FGFR1 was detected in the radial fibers of activated retinal Muller glial cells. In contrast, SR1 mRNA synthesis followed a biphasic pattern of down- and up-regulation, and anti-SR1 staining was intense in retinal pigmented epithelial cells. The synthesis of SR1 and FGFR1 specifically and independently regulated in normal and degenerating retina suggests that changes in the proportion of various FGFR forms may control the bioavailability of FGFs and thus their potential as neurotrophic factors. This was demonstrated in vivo during retinal degeneration when recombinant SR1 inhibited the neurotrophic activity of exogenous FGF2 and increased damaging effects of light by inhibiting endogenous FGF. This study highlights the significance of the generation of SR1 in normal and pathological conditions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Paracrine effects of phosphorylated and excreted FGF1 by retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

We have recently shown that both inhibition of endogenous Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) synthesis in non dividing lens epithelial cells (Renaud et al. J. Biol. Chem 1996, 271: 2801-2811) and inhibition of secreted FGF1 in confluent quiescent retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells (Guillonneau et al., Exp. Cell. Res. 1997, in press) induce rapid cell apoptosis. In addition, FGF2-stimulated release of endogenous FGF1 is associated with reduced apoptosis in RPE cells. We now show that a single addition of exogenous FGF2 to RPE cells induces after 4 days of culture, a great accumulation of FGF1 within the cells. Concomitantly we observe that FGF1 was released into the extracellular medium. Secreted FGF1 from RPE cells, purified from culture medium and added to either Go-arrested RPE or RMG cells at low plating density induced cell proliferation, whereas when it is added once to serum-depleted confluent RPE and RMG cells it prevented apoptosis. Both endogenous and secreted FGF1 are phosphorylated. In addition, FGF2 stimulated the production and release of phosphorylated FGF1 by RPE cells. We show that this secreted form of phosphorylated FGF1 binds to the high affinity tyrosine kinase receptors of RPE and RMG cells on retinal sections and to heparan sulfate proteoglycan in RPE cell extracellular matrix. In contrast to non-phosphorylated FGF1, phosphorylated secreted FGF1 was not degraded after internalization but accumulated within RPE and RMG cells, and is rapidly translocated to the nucleus suggesting a role in signal transduction and gene expression pathways. These results show that exogenous FGF2 activities might be mediated indirectly by phosphorylation and that secretion of FGF1 may function as a paracrine trophic factor for retinal cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Comparative study in vivo and in vitro of uniformly 14C-labelled and 125I-labelled recombinant fibroblast growth factor 2.

Recombinant bovine fibroblast growth factor (FGF2), uniformly labelled with 14C ([14C]FGF2), was purified and showed to be highly stable and to retain full biological activity. Organ distribution of [14C]FGF2 after intravenous injection of young rats was assessed by autoradiography of whole body sections and compared with those obtained with [125I]iodinated FGF2 (125I-FGF2). Thyroid, stomach, intestine, bladder and skin were radioactively labelled only in the case of 125I-FGF2. This tissue-labelling is artefactual, probably due to free iodide binding not observed when using [14C]FGF2. High-resolution autoradiography showed a complex tissue distribution of [14C]FGF2 in kidney and adrenal organs. Incubation of frozen eye sections with [14C]FGF2 showed a specific and high-resolution labelling pattern of ocular tissues. After cellular internalization, [14C]FGF2 was processed into five distinct polypeptides of 16, 14, 8, 7, and 5.5 kDa. The 14-kDa and 7-kDa polypeptides are novel catabolic fragments not detected with radioiodinated FGF2. In terms of stability, tissue distribution specificity, and autoradiographic resolution, [14C]FGF2 proved to have more advantages than 125I-FGF2 for pharmacokinetic and catabolism studies.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1997

FGF2-stimulated release of endogenous FGF1 is associated with reduced apoptosis in retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

Both inhibition of endogenous fibroblast growth factor (FGF) synthesis on nondividing lens epithelial cells and inhibition of secreted FGF1 in confluent quiescent retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells induce rapid cell apoptosis (Renaud et al., 1996, J. Biol. Chem., 271, 2801-2811). In addition several studies demonstrate that exogenous FGF2 can promote retinal cell survival in vitro and in vivo. To determine the possible relationship between exogenous FGF2, endogenous FGF1, and cell survival, we examined the protective effect of a single dose of exogenous FGF2 on long-term culture of quiescent RPE cells after serum withdrawal. After 4 days of culture, a dramatic and sustained upregulation of FGF1 protein expression occurs specifically in response to exogenous FGF2. After addition of FGF2 (20 ng/ml), RPE cells express fourfold more FGF1 after Day 7 than after Day 1 of culture. This phenomenon is FGF2 dose-dependent. In contrast, neither serum nor FGF2 have an effect on total endogenous FGF2 expression. In addition, in response to exogenous FGF2, FGF1 is secreted in significant amounts into the extracellular medium at a rate comparable to FGF1 accumulation within the cell. Furthermore, in the absence of serum, significant increase in cell death occurs on Day 6 of culture, whereas addition of exogenous FGF2 induces a twofold decrease of RPE cell apoptosis. In the presence of exogenous FGF2, addition of a specific anti-FGF1 neutralizing antibody induces a rapid apoptosis of RPE cell cultures. Thus, we speculate that exogenous FGF2 may indirectly prolong cell survival by increasing synthesis and secretion of endogenous FGF1 and that endogenous FGF1, directly in response to exogenous FGF2, may function as an autocrine trophic factor in RPE cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

In vitro changes in plasma membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans and in perlecan expression participate in the regulation of fibroblast growth factor 2 mitogenic activity.

Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) and 2 (FGF2) bind to two classes of receptors: the high affinity receptors, a family of four known transmembrane tyrosine kinases (FGF R1-R4), and the low affinity receptors, cell surface and basement membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG). During early (first and second) passages of retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells, both FGF1 and FGF2 exhibited low mitogenic activity, while in later (fifth to ninth) passages the activity of FGF1 remained constant but FGF2 activity increased two- to threefold. We have investigated aspects of FGF receptor interactions and the role of heparin/heparan sulfate which modulates FGF activity on RPE cells during in vitro senescence. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that FGF receptor type 1 (FGF R1) is the major high affinity receptor expressed in RPE cells and that its level of expression did not change during serially passage. Both the FGF R1 and the FGF low affinity receptors' binding characteristics (i.e., Kd and number of sites per cell) for FGF1 were unaffected by passage number, whereas the capacity of FGF2 binding to FGF R1 and to the low affinity receptors increased by two- and fivefold, respectively, in late passages, although the affinities were unchanged. This change in the capacity of FGF2 to bind to FGF R1 and to HSPG was not due to a switch of the IIIc splice form of FGF R1 to the IIIb splice form since the exon IIIc was the most predominant splice form of FGF R1 during RPE cell cultures. Furthermore the ratio of the IIIb to the IIIc splice form was not modified during cell subcultures. In parallel in the older RPE cell passages, expression of perlecan, the major FGF low affinity binding site localized on the extracellular matrix of RPE cells, was much elevated compared to early RPE cell passages. Moreover, the cell surface of late passage RPE cells had 79% more HSPG than early passage cells. Therefore, it is suggested that the increase in the number of FGF low affinity receptors present on the cell surface or basement membrane could account for a part of the greater proliferative response of aged RPE cells to FGF2.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed1996

Central nervous system distribution of fibroblast growth factor injected into the blood stream.

It has been shown that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) protect hypocampal CAI cells from the effects of transient ischemia when injected either intraventrically or intravenously. The effectiveness of the systemic treatment seems to suggest that FGFs cross the blood-brain barrier to some extent. The appearance of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the rat central nervous system after systemic administration have been autoradiographically examined using a 14C uniformly labeled preparation. Our results show that, two hours after a systemic bolus administration, bFGF spots in several populations of neuronal and in non-neural cells except in glial cells. Label accumulation was imperceptible when either 14C-bFGF was heated previously to the systemic injection or was co-administered with an excess of unlabeled bFGF. Our results indicate the existence of a saturable transport system of FGFs across the blood-brain barrier.

Animals↗