Expression of tgf-β isoforms and their receptor mRNA'S in cultured human lamina cribrosa cells

Purpose: The lamina cribrosa (LC) is an area within the optic disc that serves to protect and guide the axons of the retinal ganglion cells through the sciera to form the optic nerve. Changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the LC have been observed in primary open angle glaucoma and may involve one of the resident cell populations, the LC cell. Growth factors are known to regulate ECM production. However, the role of growth factors and growth factor receptors in the normal structure and function of the LC has not been extensively studied. The purpose of this study was to begin to determine which growth factors and growth factor receptors are expressed in cultured human LC cells. Methods: Total cellular RNA isolation, c-DNA synthesis, RT-PCR, and agarose gel electrophorcsis were performed using well chractcrizcd LC lines from a neonatal, 64 year, and 65 year old donors. A normal human astrocyle cell line (Clonetics Corp., San Diego, CA.) and human astrocytoma cell line were also studied. The PCR primers were designed using Entrez (NCBI, Bethcsda, MD.) and Oligo 4.0 (National Biosciences, Plymouth, MN.). Results: Message for TGFβ-2, TGFβ-3, TGF-βRl, TGFβ-RlI and alternatively spliced forms of TGFβ-RI and TGFβ-RII were detected in the all samples. Message for TGFβ-1 and TGFβ-RIII were not detected in any of the cell lines studied. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that cultured human LC express message for growth factors and growth factor receptors which may be important to the normal structure and function of the lamina cribrosa.