Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells possess the potential to transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts after stimulation with transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) and are implicated in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. In this study we evaluated how TGF beta(2) and various extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins modulate the transdifferentiation of human fetal retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) cells into myofibroblast-like cells. Furthermore, we investigated whether hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can suppress this transdifferentiation. RPE cells were cultured on ECM coated or uncoated surfaces in the presence or absence of TGF beta(2). HGF was added to certain cultures only once or on a daily basis during the treatment. Transdifferentiation of RPE cells into myofibroblasts was assessed by the quantitation of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) using immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, real-time PCR and Western blotting. TGF beta(2) induced a significant increase of alpha-SMA expression in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with growth on uncoated surfaces, RPE cultured on fibronectin (FN)-coated surfaces and stimulated with TGF beta(2) showed a significantly higher alpha-SMA expression than untreated cells. This upregulation of alpha-SMA could be markedly reduced by daily treatment with HGF; however, a single HGF administration did not significantly reduce alpha-SMA. These findings are important for further understanding the interaction of cytokines, RPE cells and their environment in mesenchymal transformation as well as its possible modulation. Continuous or long-term treatment with HGF should be further investigated for its potential to prevent mesenchymal transdifferentiation of RPE cells, and ultimately, PVR in vivo. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.