The Effect of Brimonidine on Transepithelial Resistance in a Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Line.
10.3341/kjo.2010.24.3.169
- Author:
Jung Hyun PARK
1
;
Sung Joon KIM
;
Hyeong Gon YU
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Adrenergic agonist;
Blood-retinal barrier;
Brimonidine;
Retinal pigment epithelium
- MeSH:
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists/*pharmacology;
Cell Hypoxia/drug effects/physiology;
Cell Line;
Electric Impedance;
Humans;
Quinoxalines/*pharmacology;
Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2/*drug effects;
Retinal Pigment Epithelium/*drug effects/*physiology
- From:Korean Journal of Ophthalmology
2010;24(3):169-172
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of brimonidine, an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, on barrier function in ARPE-19 cells by measuring transepithelial resistance (TER). METHODS: ARPE-19 cells were cultured into a confluent monolayer on a microporous filter. Brimonidine was added to the apical medium, and the barrier function of the cells was evaluated by measuring TER. A subset of cells was treated under hypoxic conditions, and the TER changes observed upon administration of brimonidine were compared to those observed in cells in normoxic conditions. RESULTS: The ARPE cell membrane reached a peak resistance of 29.1+/-7.97 Omega cm2 after four weeks of culture. The TER of the cells treated under normoxic conditions increased with brimonidine treatment; however, the TER of the cells treated under hypoxic conditions did not change following the administration of brimonidine. CONCLUSIONS: Barrier function in ARPE-19 cells increased with brimonidine treatment. Understanding the exact mechanism of this barrier function change requires further investigation.
