The Effect Of Erythropoietin On The Expression Of Bcl-2 In Human RPE Induced By Oxidative Injuries

[Objective] To investigate the effect of EPO (erythropoietin) on the expression of apoptosis-inhibited gene bcl-2 of human RPE (retinal pigment epithelium) that was induced by experimental oxidative injuries. [Methods] H₂O₂ of 600μmol/L were added into the culture medium of human RPE , and cultured for 3h, 6h and 24h to establish the model of human RPE induced by oxidative injuries. Meanwhile, EPO of 40U/ml were also added into the culture medium, and continued to culture for 3h, 6h and 24h. The expression of bcl-2 protein were studied by cellular immunocheminal technique. The bcl-2 mRNA was studied by RT-PCR. [Result] (1). Bcl-2 was detected in normal cultured RPE cells. Bcl-2 expression gradually decreased at 3h, 6h, 24h after oxidative injuries (P<0.05). The changes of bcl-2 mRNA paralleled to the changes of its protein. (2). The alterative trend of bcl-2 in EPO treatment groups was in coincidence with oxidative injury groups. [Conclusion] The expression of apoptosis-inhibited gene bcl-2 decreased in human RPE that was induced by experimental oxidative injuries. Bcl-2 may have a pivotal role in RPE cells apoptotic pathway(s) in oxidative injuries. EPO can rescue RPE cells from retinal oxidative injuries through upregulation of bcl-2 expression and may represent an important mechanism for therapeutic method for retinal disease related to RPE cells.