Expression Of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme In Cultured Bovine Trabecular Meshwork Cells

Objective: Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is not only a regulatory system of circulation, but also a local endocrine system. As the components of RAS detected in the ocular tissue, the function of RAS in the ocular became a focus for study. This study aims to investigate whether bovine trabecular meshwork cells express angiotensin-converting enzyme in vitro, and to interpret the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme in the regulation of ocular tension and the circulation of aqueous humor. Methods: The bovine trabecular meshwork cells were cultured in vitro and passaged 3generations , then the cells were transfered or cultured onto steriled cover glass. Immunohistochemical technique-Supervision method was used to localize the angiotensin-converting enzyme protein in bovine trabecular meshwork cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to determine the existence of angiotensin-converting enzyme mRNA in bovine trabecular meshwork cells.Results: Bovine trabecular meshwork cells showed yellow-brown staining in the membrane and cytoplasm, indicating a positive expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme, whereby no positive staining was found in negative control. Furthermore, mRNA encoding of angiotensin-converting enzyme was found in bovine trabecular meshwork cells.Conclusion : The presence of angiotensin-converting enzyme in bovine trabecular meshwork cells were confirmed.It suggests that angiotensin-converting enzyme may play an important role in the regulation of ocular hypertension of glaucoma and the circulation of aqueous humor.