Figure 9. Inhibition of regulatory volume decrease (RVD) by ClC-3 antisense oligonucleotide.

Volume changes of the ciliary epithelial cells were monitored using a light reflection/scattering technique. In the control group (A, no additives), cell swelling caused more scattering and less reflection, and thus the detected light intensity decreased. The light intensity returned to control levels as the cells underwent RVD to regain their normal volume. Incubation of cells in 200 μg ml⁻¹ ClC-3 antisense oligonucleotide with 20 μg ml⁻¹ lipofectin for 48 h prior to testing caused a reduction in the cells' ability to regulate volume, illustrated by the failure of the light intensity to return to control levels during exposure to the hypotonic shock (B). The data are the mean of 4 (in A) and 5 (in B) experiments.