Induction of apoptosis in rat retinal cell cultures by partially fluorinated alkanes.

Malchiodi-Albedi, Fiorella; Matteucci, Andrea; Formisano, Giuseppe; Paradisi, Silvia; Carnovale-Scalzo, Giovanna; Scorcia, Giovanni; Hoerauf, Hans · Am J Ophthalmol · 2005

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

To test whether the partially fluorinated alkanes (PFAs) perfluorobutylbutane (O(44)), perfluorohexylethan (O(62)), and the oligomer OL(62HV), recently proposed as artificial vitreous replacements (AVRs), have pro-apoptotic effect in rat retinal cultures. Laboratory investigation. Rat retinal cell cultures were seeded onto microporous inserts to study AVR-cell interaction without impairing cell survival. Cells were treated for 24 hours with O(62), O(44), and OL(62HV). Apoptosis was analyzed by transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling assay and Hoechst stain. O(44) and O(62) did not affect structural organization and cell survival in retinal cell cultures; however, OL(62HV) induced increased apoptosis compared with control cultures. OL(62HV), a high-viscosity PFA, induces severe retinal damage in human eyes, although it successfully passed animal experimentation. Our in vitro study showed a remarkable pro-apoptotic effect of OL(62HV) and suggests that in vitro tests can contribute to AVR biocompatibility assessment.

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