Fig 1. Regulation of gene expression of growth factors and cytokines in human RPE cells.

The alterations in the gene expression in cells cultured 2, 6, and 24 h under different conditions were determined with real-time RT-PCR analysis. The following conditions were tested: hyperosmolarity induced by addition of NaCl (100 mM; A,B) or sucrose (100 mM; C) to the culture medium, hypoosmolarity (60% osmolarity; D), chemical hypoxia induced by addition of CoCl₂ (150 μM; E), and oxidative stress induced by addition of H₂O₂ (20 μM; F). (B). Dose-dependent effect of high extracellular NaCl on the cellular levels of bFGF and HB-EGF mRNAs. The cells were cultured in media which were made up hyperosmotic by addition of 10 to 100 mM NaCl. Means ± SEM of 3–7 independent experiments using cells from different donors. Significant difference vs. unstimulated control: *P<0.05.