视网膜色素上皮细胞凋亡的研究进展

Progress in the research of retinal pigment eiphthelial cells apoptosis

细胞凋亡是由遗传基因调控的细胞主动死亡形式，具有不同于细胞坏死的典型特征。越来越多的证据表明，视网膜色素上皮（ＲＰＥ）细胞凋亡参与了许多眼底疾病的发生发展。阐述了ＲＰＥ细胞凋亡的形态学特点、生物化学特征、遗传基因调控以及活性氧自由基在其凋亡过程中所起的作用。

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death (PCD), has been described as a genetically controlled, active cell death process with a highly characteristic distinct from necrosis, and is an essential part of embryonic development, cell turnover and removal of cells infected by virus or harbouring mutatiotts. Apoptosis is one of two major mechanisms by which cells die, the second is necrosis. Apoptosis plays a cruial role in many pathologic processes, including neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease. The program that leads to apoptotic cell death is activated by a variety of physiological or pathologic stimuli. These stimuli include alteration in levels of cytokines, steroid hormones, growth factors, oxygen, or glutamate. Free radical and reactive oxygen species have been implicated in the induction of apoptosis within a variety of cells. The integrity of retinal pigment eiphthelial (RPE) cells is critical for maintaining the proper function of retina. Increasing evidances suggested that apoptosis in RPE cells was involved many ocular fundus diseases. Morphologic features, biochemical characteristic, gene manipulation of apoptosis in RPE cells and the role of free radical and reactive oxygen species in the process of apoptosis in RPE cells were mainly discussed.