1. Human Complement Factor H and Factor H-Like Protein 1 Are Expressed in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.
- Author
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Weinberger, andreas W.a., Eddahabi, Cordula, Carstesen, Dörthe, Zipfel, Peter F., Walter, Peter, and Skerka, Christine
- Subjects
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RETINAL (Visual pigment) , *VISUAL pigments , *EPITHELIAL cells , *COMPLEMENT factor H , *INTERLEUKIN-6 , *RETINAL degeneration - Abstract
Background: A common haplotype in the gene for the regulator of the alternative pathway of complement activation factor H has been linked to individual predisposition to age- related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: In this study, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, i.e. immortalized ARPE-19 as well as primary human RPE cells, were investigated for expression of factor H and FHL-1 by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization analysis. Results: Factor H and the alternative spliced product FHL-1 are expressed in RPE cells, i.e. in immortalized ARPE-19 and primary human RPE cells. Factor H and FHL-1 expression was induced in a dose-dependent manner in ARPE-19 cells upon treatment with the inflammatory marker interleukin-6 (IL-6). In situ hybridization experiments confirmed an elevated expression rate of the factor H gene in IL-6-treated ARPE-19 cells. AMD is characterized by complement-associated inflammatory processes in the retina. Thus, local synthesis of complement regulators affects the protection of retinal cells and may be involved in the pathogenesis at the RPE-choroid interface. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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