Effects of 530 nm monochromatic light on basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-β1 expression in Müller cells

• Main Authors: Xin-Yi Fu, Xiao-Feng Zhang, Wei Xia, Lei Zhong, Ying-Ming Wang, Zheng-Tai Sun, Jing Xia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Press of International Journal of Ophthalmology (IJO PRESS) 2015-10-01
• Series: International Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: monochromatic light; myopia; Müller cells; basic fibroblast growth factor; transforming growth factor-β1
• Online Access: http://www.ijo.cn/en_publish/2015/5/20150509.pdf
• ISSN: 2222-3959; 2227-4898

<b>AIM:</b> To expose rat retinal Müller cells to 530 nm monochromatic light and investigate the influence of varying light illumination times on basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression.<b>METHODS:</b> Three groups of rat retinal Müller cells cultured <i>in vitro</i> under a 530 nm monochromatic light were divided into 6, 12 and 24h experimental groups , while cells incubated under dark conditions served as the control group. The bFGF and TGF-β1 mRNA expression, protein levels and fluorescence intensity of the Müller cells were analyzed.<b>RESULTS:</b>ThebFGF mRNA expression and protein levels were significantly upregulated in Müller cells in all three experimental groups compared with the control group (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05), while that of TGF-β1 was downregulated (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). Also, bFGF expression was positively correlated, but TGF-β1 expression was negatively correlated with illumination time. The largest changes for both cytokines were seen in the 24h group. The changes in bFGF and TGF-β1 fluorescence intensity were highest in the 24h group, and significant differences were observed among the experimental groups (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05).<b>CONCLUSION:</b>The expressions ofbFGF and TGF-β1 changed in a time-dependent manner in Müller cells exposed to 530 nm monochromatic light with 250 lx illumination intensity. Müller cells might play a role in the development of myopia by increasing bFGF expression or decreasing TGF-β1 expression. Changes in cytokine expression in retinal Müller cells may affect monochromatic light-induced myopia.