Downregulation of lentivirus-mediated ILK RNAi on tractional force generation in human retinal Muller cells.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

To investigate the effect of lentivirus-mediated integrin-linked kinase (ILK) RNA interference (RNAi) on human retinal Müller cells transdifferentiation into contractile myofibroblasts.

Methods

A lentiviral vector expressing ILK-specific shRNA was constructed and introduced into cultured retinal Müller cells. Silencing of the ILK gene was identified by real time RT-PCR and Western blot. The Müller cell phenotype change was confirmed by immunodetection of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) stress fiber formation. The generation of tractional force was assessed using a tissue culture assay with cells incubated in three-dimensional collagen gels; cell migration was determined by the Boyden chamber method, using 10% FBS as a chemotactic factor.

Results

Significant

SUBMITTER: Zheng YP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4007506 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature