Effect of FGFs on adult bovine Muller cells: proliferation, binding and internalization.

A new method for culturing retinal Muller cells from adult bovine tissue is described. The identification of these glial cells was based on immunocytochemical analysis of specific Muller cell markers. Cultured cells from fourth to ninth passage showed positive labelling for S 100 protein, carbonic anydrase (CAA), glutamine synthetase (GS), alpha cristallin (alpha C) and polyclonal glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody, but were negative for both monoclonal GFAP antibody and also for Muller cells in the retina. Investigation of the effect of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and epithelial growth factor (EGF) on the proliferation of the Muller cells revealed that bFGF was the most potent mitogen (EC50 = 14 pM). Binding data revealed the presence of two classes of binding sites for aFGF and bFGF: (1) a high affinity binding site (Kd of 14 pM and 27 pM for aFGF and bFGF respectively); (2) a low affinity binding site (Kd of 3.2 nM and 0.6 nM for aFGF and bFGF respectively with great variability in the number of binding sites). In addition, the cross-linking experiments revealed the presence of high molecular weight FGF receptors (110-140 kDa). After aFGF or bFGF binding to Muller cells, aFGF and bFGF-cell surface receptors were rapidly downregulated with a half-life for disappearance of 35-50 min. Internalization and degradation of 125I-bFGF bound to the Muller cell receptors did not occur at 4 degrees C. At 37 degrees C, however, there was a rapid decrease in receptor-bound 125I-bFGF due to the downregulation of bFGF receptors. Concomitantly 125I-bFGF appeared inside the Muller cells. After 2 h, 125I-bFGF began to be degraded and after 6 h three fragments of 16 kDa, 8 kDa and 5.5 kDa were discernible. Degradation of bFGF appeared to occur in the lysosomal compartment since it was inhibited by chloroquine, an inhibitor of lysosomal proteases; aFGF internalization and degradation followed the same kinetics as bFGF with the appearance of 7 kDa and 5 kDa fragments. These results suggest that Muller cells may be the target for aFGF and bFGF contained in other cells of the retina. The fact that aFGF could be released from rod outer segment by a phosphorylation-dependent mechanism, and that apical prolongation of the Muller cells is connected with the photoreceptor cells suggest that these factors may be the mediators involved in the communication between glial cells and neurons.     

Distribution of Acidic and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGF) in the Foetal Rat Eye: Implications for Lens Development

Abstract

Previously we reported that, in vitro, lens cells proliferate, migrate or differentiate in response to low, medium and high concentrations of FGF respectively. To examine further the role of FGF in lens development we used immunohistochemistry to study the distribution of aFGF and bFGF in the eye of the 20 day rat foetus. Strong aFGF-like reactivity was localised in a band of cells near the lens equator which included the germinative zone where most cell proliferation occurs and the transitional zone where epithelial cells differentiate into fibres. The closely apposed inner epithelial layer of the ciliary and iridial retina also reacted strongly. Reactivity for aFGF was also found in the epidermis and in the corneal and conjunctival epithelia. In the neural retina, reactivity was found in the nerve fibre layer and in isolated cells of the inner plexiform layer. bFGF-like reactivity was found in the retinal ganglion cell layer, extra-ocular muscles and associated with endothelial cells of the hyaloid, lenticular and choroid vasculatures. Pre-digestion of sections with hyaluronidase caused loss of cell-associated reactivity but revealed strong bFGF-like reactivity in ocular basement membranes, in particular, the lens capsule. The sensitivity of this capsular bFGF localisation to heparinase indicates that bFGF in the extracellular matrix is complexed with heparan sulphate proteoglycans. The results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that FGF plays an important role in lens development via both autocrine and paracrine mechanisms.     

Biological and binding studies of acidic fibroblast growth factor in the presence of substituted dextran

Heparin has been shown to interact with acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and to potentiate the biological activity of aFGF on fibroblastic cells. Water-soluble dextran substituted with methyl carboxylic benzylamine and sulfonate groups has been shown to mimic the effect of heparin in its anticoagulant and anticomplement activity. We have studied the effect of a dextran derivative named E (DDE), which had an anticoagulant activity equivalent to 0.5 IU heparin/mg, on the mitogenic activity of aFGF on Chinese hamster fibroblasts (CCL39). DDE interacts with aFGF in a comparable manner to heparin. We have shown that 20 micrograms of heparin or 400 micrograms of DDE added to 1 ml of culture medium has no effect on cell proliferation alone but potentiates the mitogenic activity of aFGF ten fold if aFGF is added at doses corresponding to half maximum stimulation (ED50). We have also studied the effect of various concentrations of heparin and DDE on the binding of 125I-aFGF on bovine brain membranes. Interestingly, the binding of 125I-aFGF increased three-fold as the concentration of heparin was increased up to 0.2 microgram/ml. At 1 microgram/ml of heparin, the amount of bound 125I-aFGF is comparable to that obtained in the absence of heparin. At higher concentrations, heparin displaces bound 125I-aFGF, and a 50% displacement is seen with 20 micrograms/ml of heparin. In the presence of DDE, no increase in 125I-aFGF binding is seen and a displacement is obtained with increasing doses. A possible explanation of these results may be the existence of specific receptors to heparin on the cellular membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pleiotypic actions of the seminiferous growth factor on two testicular cell lines: comparisons with acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors

Bovine seminiferous growth factor (SGF) stimulated different pleiotypic responses in TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli cells from those obtained with bovine acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF, bFGF). First, the three growth factors had distinct mitogenic effects. SGF increased TM3 and TM4 cell numbers, whereas aFGF was mitogenic only for TM3 cells, and bFGF was inactive on both cell lines. Second, only SGF and bFGF stimulated TM4 cells to produce 3- and 2-fold, respectively, greater levels of extracellular, sulfated glycoprotein-1. By Northern analyses, SGF increased the steady-state levels of sulfated glycoprotein-1 mRNA approximately 1.34-fold relative to those of actin mRNA during a 48-hr period. Third, the cell lines secreted different [35S]methionine-labeled proteins. With TM3 cells, some proteins were secreted specifically, whereas other were up- or down-regulated differentially in response to SGF, aFGF, or bFGF. Likewise, with TM4 cells, the three growth factors induced qualitative and quantitative changes in the secretion of specific proteins. On immunoblots, SGF did not bind antibodies specific for an internal domain of aFGF or FGF-5, nor those directed against N-terminal, internal, and C-terminal regions of bFGF. These data suggest SGF, aFGF, and bFGF acted on TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli cells through different receptors and/or diverging pathways of signal transduction to induce different pleiotypic effects.     

Injury-induced reduction of acidic fibroblast growth factor levels in the distal parts of rat sciatic nerve.

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) level in sciatic nerve after lesioning was measured by enzyme immunoassay to determine if aFGF functions as a neurotrophic factor like nerve growth factor (NGF). Whereas the NGF level increased in distal segments, the aFGF level there decreased after transection or crushing and recovered to the original level by 10 weeks after crushing. The amount of aFGF mRNA in the sciatic nerve was extremely low to supply the high level of protein found in the sciatic nerve. Sympathetic ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, and spinal cord, which contain neuronal cell bodies extending their axons into the sciatic nerve, showed a greater or similar level of aFGF as sciatic nerve. These results imply that aFGF is synthesized in neuronal cell bodies and distributed anterogradely into their axons. Difference of injury-induced changes in levels between aFGF and NGF suggests distinct mechanisms of the effects elicited from these factors on regeneration of the sciatic nerve.     

Expression of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors in human and bovine vascular smooth muscle cells

The expression and synthesis of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF) in cultures of bovine and human vascular smooth muscle cells (BSMC and HSMC) was studied. BSMC express and synthesize only bFGF, whereas HSMC express and synthesize both bFGF and aFGF. The presence of bFGF in BSMC is shown by the following criteria: (1) the growth factor activity in BSMC lysates binds to a heparin-affinity column and elutes as a single peak at 1.5-1.7 M NaCl, characteristic for bFGF; (2) this extract is mitogenic for smooth muscle cells; (3) Northern blot analysis demonstrates three distinct bFGF mRNAs of 7.0, 4.0, and 1.9 kb; no aFGF mRNA species were detected. Analysis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells yielded similar results: Heparin-affinity chromatography and Northern blot analysis failed to demonstrate the presence of aFGF despite the detection of bFGF by these techniques. In contrast, HSMC synthesize two growth factor activities: First, they bind to an immobilized heparin column and elute as two separate peaks at 1.2 and 1.5-1.7 M NaCl, characteristic for aFGF and bFGF; and second. Northern blot analysis demonstrates the expression of aFGF mRNA of 4.6 kb and bFGF mRNAs of 7.0, 4.0 and 1.9 kb. Furthermore, it is shown that aFGF and bFGF are potent mitogens for smooth muscle cells in vitro.     

Immunohistochemical localization of acidic fibroblast growth factor in normal human enterochromaffin cells and related gastrointestinal tumours

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) is a member of the structurally related heparin-binding growth factor family. The best studied members of this family are aFGF and basic FGF (bFGF), which are potent mitogens and differentiation factors for mesodermderived cells, including fibroblasts. This study was designed to verify the immunohistochemical expression of aFGF in normal human endocrine cells of the gut and in related endocrine tumours. We examined normal gastrointestinal mucosa from seven different subjects and 41 gut endocrine tumours from different sites, including stomach, duodenum, and small and large intestine, using an aFGF polyclonal antibody with no cross-reactivity for bFGF. We localized aFGF in a fraction of serotonin-producing enterochromaffin (EC) cells of the normal gut, while it was absent in gastrin (G), CCK, secretin (S), somatostatin (D) and glicentin (L) cells. aFGF immunoreactivity was also expressed in serotonin producing EC cell tumours, but not in other functional types of gut endocrine neoplasms investigated, including gastric ECL cell, duodenal somatostatin and gastrin cell, and rectal L cell tumours. A positive correlation was found between expression of aFGF and the amount of tumour fibrous stroma, suggesting that aFGF may be involved in proliferation and activity of stromal fibroblasts.     

Expression of Acidic and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factors in Human and Bovine Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract

The expression and synthesis of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF) in cultures of bovine and human vascular smooth muscle cells (BSMC and HSMC) was studied. BSMC express and synthesize only bFGF, whereas HSMC express and synthesize both bFGF and aFGF. The presence of bFGF in BSMC is shown by the following criteria: (1) the growth factor activity in BSMC lysates binds to a heparin-affinity column and elutes as a single peak at 1.5-1.7 m NaCl, characteristic for bFGF; (2) this extract is mitogenic for smooth muscle cells; (3) Northern blot analysis demonstrates three distinct bFGF mRNAs of 7.0, 4.0, and 1.9 kb; no aFGF mRNA species were detected. Analysis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells yielded similar results: Heparin-affinity chromatography and Northern blot analysis failed to demonstrate the presence of aFGF despite the detection of bFGF by these techniques. In contrast, HSMC synthesize two growth factor activities: First, they bind to an immobilized heparin column and elute as two separate peaks at 1.2 and 1.5-1.7 m NaCl, characteristic for aFGF and bFGF; and second, Northern blot analysis demonstrates the expression of aFGF mRNA of 4.6 kb and bFGF mRNAs of 7.0, 4.0 and 1.9 kb. Furthermore, it is shown that aFGF and bFGF are potent mitogens for smooth muscle cells in vitro.     

Immunohistochemical localization of epidermal growth factor and acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors in postnatal developing and adult rat lungs.

Histologic preparations of lungs form 1-, 5-, 10-, 18-, and 25-day-old rats and adult rats were probed immunohistochemically with specific antibodies for the distribution of epidermal growth factor (EGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Immunoperoxidase staining of sections of adult rat lungs with a rabbit polyclonal antibody to bovine EGF was strong in ciliated cells of airways and mast cells, nonciliated cells of bronchioles, smooth muscle, type II cells of alveoli, and interstitial and epithelial cells of alveolar septal regions. Developing postnatal lungs had moderate and somewhat diffuse immunoreactivity in all epithelial cells, and more intense staining in vascular smooth muscle. Immunoperoxidase staining of adult rat lungs with a rabbit polyclonal antibody against bovine aFGF was distributed in identical fashion to EGF, with the exception of mast cells which were not reactive. These same sights were localized using an immunoperoxidase sequence with a rabbit polyclonal antibody to the leu 60-leu 98 fragment of aFGF (aFGFfr) with less background. In postnatal developing lungs, immunoreactivity with aFGF and aFGFfr preparations was diffuse and moderately intense in epithelial cells and vascular smooth muscle. Immunoperoxidase staining of adult rat lung sections with a monoclonal antibody to bovine bFGF was strong in hyaluronidase-digested preparations. Reactivity was principally confined to alveolar and vascular basement membrane regions and external laminae of smooth muscle. In early postnatal development, immunoreactivity for bFGF was found in basement membranes beneath developing epithelium and the endothelium of vessel wall intima and in the adventitia, with reactivity increasing with advancing age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Retinal pigment epithelial cell plasma membrane: a monoclonal antibody study

The plasma membranes of retinal pigment epithelial cells are highly specialized organelles with multiple functions including nutritional and metabolic support of the photoreceptor cells. Using purified bovine retinal epithelial cell plasma membranes as antigen, we produced two monoclonal antibodies, MAbD1-C6 and MAbD1-C8, that cross react with the plasma membranes from bovine, rat and human retinal pigment epithelial cells. In radioimmunoassay both MAbD1-C6 and MAbD1-C8 had similar affinities for bovine plasma membranes. Both monoclonal antibodies identified a protein of 72 Kd with an apparent subunit of 32-35 Kd. The protein was localized to the cell surface of human and bovine retinal pigment epithelium by immunocytohistochemistry. In the normal eye the antigen identified by the monoclonal antibodies was strongly associated with the retinal pigment epithelium and weakly associated with lens tissue. Using either monoclonal antibody, components of purified bovine or rat retinal pigment epithelial plasma membranes were precipitated from solution. Based on these results, we conclude that both monoclonal antibodies are closely related and that they may be useful for the isolation and study of retinal pigment epithelial cell structure.     

PD98059 抑制aFGF诱导的人膀胱癌细胞株EJ细胞增殖

目的探讨细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)激酶MEK抑制剂PD98059对酸性成纤维细胞生长因子(aFGF)诱导的人膀胱癌细胞株EJ细胞增殖的抑制作用。方法以不同浓度的aFGF和PD98059作用EJ细胞,通过细胞计数法、MTT比色法观察PD98059对细胞增殖的抑制作用;流式细胞仪测定细胞各周期细胞百分数的变化;利用[γ3-2P]ATP掺入外源性底物的方法,液体闪烁测定ERK活性的变化。结果aFGF使EJ细胞株增殖比明显增加,而PD98059使EJ细胞株增殖比明显下降,在一定浓度范围内,其程度均随浓度增高而增强。EJ细胞受到aFGF刺激后,由G0+G1期进入S和G2+M期的细胞明显增多,在PD98059的作用下,由G0+G1期进入S和G2+M期的细胞明显减少,并在一定浓度范围内成剂量依赖性,与对照组比较差异显著(P<0.05);随着aFGF浓度的增加,EJ细胞ERK活性增高,PD98059抑制细胞内ERK活性,与PD98059浓度呈剂量依赖效应。结论PD98059对aFGF引起的EJ细胞增殖具有抑制作用,aFGF可能通过激活Ras-Raf-ERK信号转导途径来调控EJ细胞增殖,PD98059可有效阻滞此传导途径。     

Neuronal density in the human retinal ganglion cell layer from 16-77 years

Literature assessing whether or not neurons (retinal ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells) are lost from the retinal ganglion cell layer in mammals with age is still controversial, some studies finding a decrease in cell density and others not. To date there have been no studies estimating the total number of neurons in the retinal ganglion cell layer of humans throughout life. Recent studies have concentrated on the macular region and examined cell densities, which are reported to decrease during aging. In a study of the human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), we showed that, while RPE cell number does not change, cell density increases significantly in central temporal retina (macular region) as the retina ages. We speculated that the increase in density represents a "drawing together" of the retinal sheet to maintain high cell densities, in this region of the neural retina, in the face of presumed cell loss from the ganglion cell layer due to aging. Here, therefore, we have sampled the entire ganglion cell layer of the human retina and estimated total neuron numbers in 12 retinae aged from 16 to 77 years. Human retinae, fixed in formalin, were obtained from the Queensland Eye Bank and whole-mounted, ganglion cell layer uppermost. The total number of neurons was lower in the older than younger retinae and neuronal density was lower in most retinal regions in older retinae. Retinal area increased with age and neuronal density fell throughout the retina with a mean reduction of 0.53% per year. However, the percentage reduction in density was much lower for the macular region, with a value of 0.29% per year. It is possible that this lesser reduction in cell density in the macula is a result of the drawing together of the retinal sheet in this region as we speculated from RPE data.     

Expression of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) in breast fibroadenomas

BACKGROUND/AIM: Fibroadenomas are benign tumours composed of both glandular and fibrous tissue. The mechanisms regulating the growth of these tumours and the relation between the stromal and epithelial cells are poorly understood. Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) is a well known fibroblast activator, which acts through four specific cell surface receptors, among which, fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) is highly specific. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of aFGF and FGFR4 in specific cell types of fibroadenomas to understand their possible role in the growth of these breast lesions. METHODS: Formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded tissues from 15 fibroadenomas and peritumoral normal breasts were investigated for the expression of aFGF and FGFR4 using immunohistochemistry. The presence of aFGF mRNA was also investigated using in situ hybridisation. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity for aFGF and FGFR4 was seen in epithelial cells, but it was lacking in myoepithelial cells of both normal tissues and fibroadenomas. Strong FGFR4 immunoreactivity was found in stromal fibroblasts, which were also weakly positive for aFGF. aFGF mRNA was detected in epithelial cells and in some stromal fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a paracrine/autocrine modulation of epithelial and stromal cells of fibroadenomas through an aFGF-FGFR4 interaction. This interaction might regulate various cell functions and the growth of fibroadenomas.     

Human acidic fibroblast growth factor overexpressed in insect cells is not secreted into the medium

We have overexpressed human acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells from a cDNA clone under the control of the promoter of the polyhedrin gene of the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus. A 16.5-kD product was made in recombinant virus-infected cells that specifically reacted in immunoblots with various antibodies prepared against aFGF. Recombinant aFGF was mitogenic for BHK21 cells and its activity was stimulated by heparin. The mechanism of release of FGF from mammalian cells is unknown. Both acidic and basic FGF lack classical amino-terminal signal sequences for secretion, and they are very inefficiently released from cells. Sf9 cells infected with the recombinant virus produced 10-20 mg aFGF/10(9) cells, corresponding to about 10-20 pg/cell. Despite this high level of expression, only about 0.5 and 1.3% of the total aFGF was found in the culture medium at 48 and 72 hr postinfection, respectively. This indicates that aFGF is not actively secreted out of the cells either via the normal exocytic pathway or directly through the plasma membrane in this heterologous cell system.     

人类重组酸性成纤维细胞生长因子对细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：通过对人类重组型和野生型酸性成纤 维细胞生长因子（raFGF，waFGF）的比较研究，探讨raFGF与促分裂性有关的生物学作用。 方法：应用NIH3T3细胞株，用MTT法通过细胞增殖实验检测waFGF和raFGF 的促分裂性，通过流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡、细胞膜通透性和线粒体膜电位。同时检测肝素 （HS）对aFGF生物学作用的影响。结果：raFGF对细胞增殖 作用明显低于waFGF。raFGF对细胞凋亡的抑制作用及其对细胞膜通透性的增强作用也明显低 于waFGF，对线粒体膜电位的增强作用明显低于waFGF。HS对aFGF的生物学作用具有促进作用 。结论：raFGF的促分裂作用低于waFGF，而对细胞凋亡的影响不明显。     

Neuronal density in the human retinal ganglion cell layer from 16–77 years

Literature assessing whether or not neurons (retinal ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells) are lost from the retinal ganglion cell layer in mammals with age is still controversial, some studies finding a decrease in cell density and others not. To date there have been no studies estimating the total number of neurons in the retinal ganglion cell layer of humans throughout life. Recent studies have concentrated on the macular region and examined cell densities, which are reported to decrease during aging. In a study of the human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), we showed that, while RPE cell number does not change, cell density increases significantly in central temporal retina (macular region) as the retina ages. We speculated that the increase in density represents a “drawing together” of the retinal sheet to maintain high cell densities, in this region of the neural retina, in the face of presumed cell loss from the ganglion cell layer due to aging. Here, therefore, we have sampled the entire ganglion cell layer of the human retina and estimated total neuron numbers in 12 retinae aged from 16 to 77 years. Human retinae, fixed in formalin, were obtained from the Queensland Eye Bank and whole‐mounted, ganglion cell layer uppermost. The total number of neurons was lower in the older than younger retinae and neuronal density was lower in most retinal regions in older retinae. Retinal area increased with age and neuronal density fell throughout the retina with a mean reduction of 0.53% per year. However, the percentage reduction in density was much lower for the macular region, with a value of 0.29% per year. It is possible that this lesser reduction in cell density in the macula is a result of the drawing together of the retinal sheet in this region as we speculated from RPE data. Anat Rec 260:124–131, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

酸性成纤维细胞生长因子对顺铂肾损害保护作用的实验研究

目的研究酸性成纤维细胞生长因子(aFGF)对顺铂(DDP)引起的体外培养的肾小管上皮细胞损害的保护作用。方法通过酶消化法获取肾小管上皮细胞,接种于96孔培养板:(1)培养72h后加入一系列浓度的DDP,实验组在DDP作用12h后加入不同浓度aFGF,再培养48h后用WST-8法检测细胞存活率。(2)以DDP建立损伤模型,并在加药后12h加入一定量的aFGF,观察aFGF对损伤的肾小管上皮细胞的保护作用。结果(1)aFGF能使DDP对肾小管上皮细胞的半数抑制浓度(IC50)升高。(2)DDP组与对照组比较,各生化和酶学指标差异均有统计学意义;而aFGF加DDP组与对照组比较,SOD、GSH-Px酶活性差异无统计学意义,MDA、NO升高差异仍有统计学意义。结论aFGF对DDP损伤的肾小管上皮细胞有明显的保护作用。     

An immunocytochemical marker for hamster retinal ganglion cells

Summary We examined the specificity and developmental time course of the labelling of retinal ganglion cells in Syrian hamsters by a monoclonal antibody AB5. In adult hamsters, AB5 selectively labelled somata in the ganglion cell layer, dendrites in the inner plexiform layer and axons in the nerve fibre layer. When retinal ganglion cells were retrogradely labelled with Dil prior to AB5 immunocytochemistry, all of the retrogradely labelled retinal ganglion cells in the ganglion cell layer were AB5 immunoreactive, indicating that AB5 labels all classes of ganglion cell in that layer. In retinae depleted of retinal ganglion cells by neonatal optic nerve transections, AB5 did not label any somata or processes, indicating that AB5 specifically labels retinal ganglion cells. During development, AB5 labelling first appeared as a weak staining of cell bodies in the ganglion cell layer on postnatal day 12 (P12; PO=first 24 h following birth) and acquired the staining pattern seen in the adult by postnatal day 14. From the onset of AB5 immunoreactivity, AB5-labelled somata of varying sizes were present across the entire retinal surface. Although AB5 labelled retinal ganglion cell axons in the nerve fibre layer of the retina it did not label the optic nerve or retinal ganglion cell axons in the brain at any age examined. AB5 labelling was also found to be compatible with bromodeoxyuridine immunocytochemistry and, therefore, useful for determining the time of generation of hamster retinal ganglion cells.     

S100B and S100A1 proteins in bovine retina:their calcium-dependent stimulation of a membrane-bound guanylate cyclase activity as investigated by ultracytochemistry.

The Ca2(+)-binding proteins of the EF-hand type, S100B and S100A1, were detected in the outer segment of bovine retina photoreceptors where they are localized to disc membranes, as investigated by immunofluorescence and immunogold cytochemistry. S100B and S100A1 stimulate a membrane-bound guanylate cyclase activity associated with photoreceptor disc membranes in dark-adapted retina in a Ca2(+)-dependent manner, although with different Ca2+ requirements, as investigated by an ultracytochemical approach. Other retinal cell types express S100B and S100A1 as well. S100B is detected in the outer limiting membrane, fine cell processes in the outer nuclear layer and the outer plexiform layer, cell bodies in the inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell layer, and the inner limiting membrane, whereas S100A1 has a more discrete distribution. S100B and S100A1 also stimulate a membrane-bound guanylate cyclase activity in photoreceptor cell bodies and Muller cells, but their effect appears independent of the light- or dark-adapted state of the retina and is observed at relatively high Ca2+ concentrations. These data represent the ultrastructural counterpart of recent biochemical observations implicating S100B and, possibly, S100A1 in the Ca2(+)-dependent stimulation of a photoreceptor membrane-bound guanylate cyclase activity [T. Duda, R. M. Goraczniak and R. K. Sharma (1996) Molecular characterization of S100A1-S1000B protein in retina and its activation mechanism of bovine photoreceptor guanylate cyclast. Biochemistry 35, 6263-6266; A. Margulis, N. Pozdnyakov and A. Sitaramayya (1996) Activation of bovine photoreceptor guanylate cyclast by S100 proteins. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 218, 243-247]. Our data suggest that at least S100B may take part in the regulation of a membrane-bound guanylate cyclase-based signalling pathway in both photoreceptors and Muller cells.     

Intraocular colchicine selectively destroys immature ganglion cells in chicken retina

Low doses of colchicine (greater than 0.5 microgram) injected into the eyes of young chickens irreversibly inhibit axonal transport of material labelled with [3H]fucose. This is due to almost total destruction of the retinal ganglion cells, while other retinal cell types, including the displaced amacrine cells found in the same retinal layer, survive the treatment. The neurotoxic effect of colchicine on chick retinal ganglion cells decreases after hatching, and it is suggested that the decrease in sensitivity may be related to myelination of the retinal ganglion cell axons.