Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the presence of dopamine receptor D2 and adenosine receptor A2A in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in order to determine whether the RPE is a potential site of action for these two receptors.
Methods: RPE Cells were isolated and cultured. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry were performed to detect the expression of D2 and A2A receptors in the RPE.
Results: RT-PCR analysis showed that mRNA of D2 and A2A receptors were expressed in the RPE. D2 and A2A receptors were distributed in the RPE by immunocytochemistry.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated the presence of D2 and A2A receptors in human RPE at both mRNA and protein levels. D2 and A2A receptors may play an important role in the maintenance of the function of human retinal pigment epithelium. Furthermore, their cooperation appeared to be important in the development of axial myopia and retinal and choroidal neovascularization.