Molecular Study of Collagen XVII Gene in Retina

Collagen XVII is known to be a structural component of hemidesmosomes, which mediate adhesion of epidermal keratinocytes and certain other epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane. In this study, we demonstrate that the expression of collagen XVII in vitreoretinal border in adult human eyes, the cultured Mller cells of retina were analyzed for the presence of mRNA of types I-VII, IX, and XVII collagen by RTPCR. In addition to, this Mller cells were analysied by immunocytochemical and western blot using anticollagen antibodies. The cultured Mller cells synthesized mRNA for types I-VII, IX, and XVII collagen. The immunocytochemical and western blot analysis confirmed the expression of all types I-VII, IX, and XVII collagen. This collagens secretion into the medium was established for types I-VII, IX, and XII collagen. We concluded that the cultured Mller cells of retina can synthesize internal limiting lamina and vitreous collagens. The collagen production by mller cells explains the previous morphological findings in the embryonic and postnatal conditions in vivo.