Modulation of TGFβ2 and dopamine by PKC in retinal Muller cells of guinea pig myopic eye

AIM: To investigate the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) on transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF beta (2)) and dopamine in retinal Muller cells of guinea pig myopic eye. METHODS: Myopia was induced by translucent goggles in guinea pig, whose retinal Muller cells were cultured using the enzyme-digesting method. Retinal M tiller cells were divided into 5 groups: normal control, myopia, myopia plus GF109203X, myopia plus PMA, myopia plus DMSO. PKC activities were detected by the non-radioactive methods. TGF beta (2) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) proteins were analyzed by Western Blotting in retinal M tiller cells. Dopamine was determined by the high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection in suspensions. RESULTS: After 14 days deprived, the occluded eyes became myopic with ocular axle elongating. M tiller cells of guinea pigs were obtained using enzyme digestion. Compared with normal control group, the increase in PKC activity and the up-regulation in TGF beta (2) expression were found in retinal Muller cells of myopic eyes, with the decrease of TH and dopamine content (P<0.05). After PKC activated by PMA, TGF beta (2) and TH content were up-regulated with the increase of dopamine content (P<0.05). While the PKC activities was inhibited by GF109203X, proteins of TGF beta (2) and TH were down-regulated in the myopic eyes, with the decrease of dopamine content (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: TGF beta (2) and dopamine are modulated by PKC in Muller cells of the myopic eyes in guinea pig.