Cultures of human retinal pigment epithelium. Modulation of extracellular matrix

The extracellular matrix of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is an important component of the fibroelastic membranes formed in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). These membranes consist of cells intermingled with fibrillar proteins, such as elastin and collagen. Because RPE cells may be exposed to vitreous and serum-derived factors in conditions that lead to PVR, the effects of vitreous and serum on the deposition of fibrillar proteins by RPE cells were studied using radioactive labeling and indirect immunofluorescence techniques. The RPE cells, modulated by combined vitreous and serum into a fibrocytic-like appearance, deposited less fibroelastic proteins per cell. However, as a result of simultaneous cell proliferation, the total deposition of fibroelastic proteins per culture was increased. Indirect immunofluorescence studies suggest that it is type I collagen that is altered in the matrix of these modulated cell cultures. This information is important in pathologic conditions characterized by intraocular cell proliferation and fibroelastic membrane formation; these phenomena are seen in many vitreoproliferative disorders.