Tumor necrosis factor-α gene is expressed in stimulated retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture

Abstract Expression of TNF-α gene in the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells was studied by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR for human TNF-α gene using complementary DNA (cDNA) of control RNA prepared from non-stimulated RPE cells failed to show expression of TNF-α gene. However, PCR by using cDNA prepared from interleukin-1β(IL-1β)-stimulated RPE cells revealed expression of the gene, suggesting in vivo production of TNF-α from RPE cells in response to IL-1β.