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ATP causes retinal pericytes to contract in vitro
1Kresge Eye Institute of Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201.
Experimental Eye Research
|March 1, 1988
Summary
Retinal pericytes are contractile cells that respond to MgATP, demonstrating their role in regulating microcirculation blood flow. This study confirms pericytes
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
- Microcirculation
Background:
- Pericytes are cells that surround microvessels.
- Their contractile function in regulating blood flow is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the contractility of bovine retinal microvascular pericytes.
- To determine the role of MgATP in pericyte contraction.
- To compare pericyte contractility with other cell types.
Main Methods:
- Cultured bovine retinal microvascular pericytes were permeabilized with Triton X-100.
- Cell surface area changes were measured in response to MgATP over 20 minutes.
- Immunofluorescence was used to detect muscle actin.
Main Results:
- Pericytes demonstrated dose-dependent contraction in response to MgATP within minutes.
- GTP, pyrophosphate, and beta, gamma-methylene ATP did not induce contraction.
- Muscle actin was preserved in permeabilized cells.
- Retinal pericytes were significantly more contractile than human umbilical vein endothelial cells, bovine lens epithelial cells, and human retinal pigment epithelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Bovine retinal pericytes are contractile cells.
- MgATP is a key mediator of pericyte contraction.
- Pericytes play a significant role in regulating microcirculation blood flow due to their rapid contractile response.