Many blinding diseases,such as retinitis pigmentosa,age-related macular degeneration,and glaucoma involve the permanent loss of retinal neurons,especially photoreceptors or the centrally projecting retinal ganglion ce...Many blinding diseases,such as retinitis pigmentosa,age-related macular degeneration,and glaucoma involve the permanent loss of retinal neurons,especially photoreceptors or the centrally projecting retinal ganglion cells.Stem cells have been proposed as a potential source of cells for neuronal transplantation.展开更多
During life human eye is constantly exposed to sunlight and artificial light, the sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS)—the main cause of age-related eye pathology. A novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 h...During life human eye is constantly exposed to sunlight and artificial light, the sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS)—the main cause of age-related eye pathology. A novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 has recently been invented to reduce mitochondrial ROS by cleaning the mitochondria matrix, “the dirtiest place in the cell” in respect of ROS production and accumulation. Earlier we studied SkQ1 effects upon retinal pigment epithelium and choroid in the rat eye posterior cups exposed to long-term 3D organotypic culturing. It was found that under in vitro conditions 20 nM SkQ1 effectively reduced cell death in retinal pigment epithelium and choroid and protected the tissues from disintegration and cell withdrawal. In the present study we used same ex vivo conditions to examine the effect of SkQ1 upon the rat neural retina kept in the content of the posterior eye cup. Eye cups were isolated and cultured in vitro during 7, 14, and 30 days under rotation in the presence and absence of 20 nM SkQ1 in the culture medium. Serial sections of cultivated eye cups were subjected to histology, computer morphometry and immunohistochemistry. Obtained results show that SkQ1 operates as a strong protective agent, preventing neuronal cell death and other degenerative processes in the neural retina. Cell rescue by SkQ1 was more vivid in the central part of the retina than at the periphery. That, in turn, suggests SkQ1 effectiveness in treatment of some age-related eye diseases when central part of the retina, including macula, is most susceptible to degeneration.展开更多
In humans, optic nerve injuries and associated neurodegenerative diseases are often followed by perma- nent vision loss. Consequently, an important challenge is to develop safe and effective methods to replace retinal...In humans, optic nerve injuries and associated neurodegenerative diseases are often followed by perma- nent vision loss. Consequently, an important challenge is to develop safe and effective methods to replace retinal neurons and thereby restore neuronal functions and vision. Identifying cellular and molecular mechanisms allowing to replace damaged neurons is a major goal for basic and translational research in regenerative medicine. Contrary to mammals, the zebrafish has the capacity to fully regenerate entire parts of the nervous system, including retina. This regenerative process depends on endogenous retinal neural stem cells, the Miiller glial cells. Following injury, zebrafish Miiller cells go back into cell cycle to proliferate and generate new neurons, while mammalian Mtiller cells undergo reactive gliosis. Recently, transcription factors and microRNAs have been identified to control the formation of new neurons derived from ze- brafish and mammalian Mtiller cells, indicating that cellular reprogramming can be an efficient strategy to regenerate human retinal neurons. Here we discuss recent insights into the use of endogenous neural stem cell reprogramming for neuronal regeneration, differences between zebrafish and mammalian Mtiller cells, and the need to pursue the identification and characterization of new molecular factors with an instructive and potent function in order to develop theurapeutic strategies for eye diseases.展开更多
A rat model of acute high intraocular pressure was established by injecting saline into the anterior chamber of the left eye. Synaptophysin expression was increased in the inner plexiform layer at 2 hours following in...A rat model of acute high intraocular pressure was established by injecting saline into the anterior chamber of the left eye. Synaptophysin expression was increased in the inner plexiform layer at 2 hours following injury, and was widely distributed in the outer plexiform layer at 3-7 days, and then decreased to the normal level at 14 days. This suggests that expression of this presynaptic functional protein experienced spatiotemporal alterations after elevation of intraocular pressure. There was no significant change in the fluorescence intensity and distribution pattern for synapse-associated protein 102 following elevated intraocular pressure. Synapse-associated protein 102 immunoreactivity was confined to the outer plexiform layer, while synaptophysin immunoreactivity spread into the outer plexiform layer and the outer nuclear layer at 3 and 7 days following injury. These alterations in presynaptic elements were not accompanied by changes in postsynaptic components.展开更多
The retina of Wistar rats within 1-3 days of birth were dissociated into a retinal ceil suspension using 0.05% trypsin digestion. The cell suspension was incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium for 24 hours,...The retina of Wistar rats within 1-3 days of birth were dissociated into a retinal ceil suspension using 0.05% trypsin digestion. The cell suspension was incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium for 24 hours, followed by neurobasal medium for 5-7 days. Nissl staining showed that 79.86% of primary cultured retinal cells were positive and immunocytochemical staining showed that the purity of anti-neurofilament heavy chain antibody-positive cells was 71.53%, indicating that the primary culture system of rat retinal neurons was a reliable and stable cell system with neurons as the predominant cell type. The primary cultured retinal neurons were further treated with 0, 5.5, 15, 25, and 35 mM glucose for 24, 48, and 72 hours. The thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide test and flow cytometry showed that with increasing glucose concentration and treatment duration, the viability of retinal neurons was reduced, and apoptosis increased. In particular, 35 mM glucose exhibited the most significant effect at 72 hours. Thus, rat retinal neurons treated with 35 mM glucose for 72 hours can be used to simulate a neuronal model of diabetic retinopathy.展开更多
Hypertension is a risk factor for a large number of vision-threatening eye disorders.In this study,we investigated for the first time the retinal neural structure of the hypertensive BPH/2J mouse(Schlager mouse)and co...Hypertension is a risk factor for a large number of vision-threatening eye disorders.In this study,we investigated for the first time the retinal neural structure of the hypertensive BPH/2J mouse(Schlager mouse)and compared it to its control counterpart,the normotensive BPN/3J strain.The BPH/2J mouse is a selectively inbred mouse strain that develops chronic hypertension due to elevated sympathetic nervous system activity.When compared to the BPN/3J strain,the hypertensive BPH/2J mice showed a complete loss of outer layers of the neural retina at 21 weeks of age,which was indicative of a severe vision-threatening disease potentially caused by hypertension.To elucidate whether the retinal neural phenotype in the BPH/2J strain was attributed to increased BP,we investigated the neural retina of both BPN/3J and BPH/2J mice at 4 weeks of age.Our preliminary results showed for the first time that the BPH/2J strain develops severe retinal neural damage at a young age.Our findings suggest that the retinal phenotype in the BPH/2J mouse is possibly due to elevated blood pressure and may be contributed by an early onset spontaneous mutation which is yet to be identified or a congenital defect occurring in this strain.Further characterization of the BPH/2J mouse strain is likely to i)elucidate gene defects underlying retinal disease;ii)understand mechanisms leading to neural retinal disease and iii)permit testing of molecules for translational research to interfere with the progression of retinal disease.The animal experiments were performed with the approval of the Royal Perth Hospital Animal Ethics Committee(R535/17-18)on June 1,2017.展开更多
BACKGROUND:In various retinal neurodegenerative animal models,ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) exhibits prominent neuroprotective effects on retinal nerve cells.Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein.c-Jun is upregul...BACKGROUND:In various retinal neurodegenerative animal models,ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) exhibits prominent neuroprotective effects on retinal nerve cells.Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein.c-Jun is upregulated and phosphorylated in the activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway,which subsequently mediates apoptosis.However,the effect of CNTF on Bcl-2 and c-Jun expression in retinal nerve cells remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:To determine the dynamic changes in retinal nerve cell apoptosis,as well as bcl-2 and c-jun gene and protein expression,following a single dose of CNTF in a short period of time.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A single-blind,randomized,controlled,in vitro experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of Beijing Tongren Hospital from May 2008 to April 2009.MATERIALS:Neonatal bovine retinal nerve cells (Chinese Holstein),recombinant human CNTF (PeproTech,Rocky Hill,NJ,USA),rabbit polyclonal anti-Bcl-2 and c-Jun antibodies (Abeam,Cambridge,UK),fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated annexin V/propidium iodide kit (BioVision,Mountain View,CA,USA),real time polymerase chain reaction instrument (ABI,Foster City,CA,USA),and flow cytometer (BD FACSCalibur,Franklin Lakes,NJ,USA).METHODS:Neonatal bovine retinal cells from passage 2 were cultured for 3 days and incubated with,or without,50 ng/mL CNTF (control).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Cell apoptosis was detected via Annexin V-FITC/PI double-staining and flow cytometry.bcl-2 and c-jun mRNA and protein expression were detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.RESULTS:The proportion of late-stage apoptotic cells was significantly decreased at 2,4,and 6 days after CNTF treatment compared with the control group (P 〈 0.01).CNTF did not alter bcl-2 mRNA expression at the three time points,but significantly increased Bcl-2 protein expression at 2 and 4 days (P 〈 0.01).c-jun mRNA expression was significantly decreased 4 days after CNTF treatment (P〈 0.01).In addition,c-Jun protein expression was slightly increased at 4 days (P〈 0.01),but decreased at 6 days,compared with the control group (P〈 0.05).CONCLUSION:A single dose of CNTF (50 ng/mL) upregulated Bcl-2 protein and downregulated c-jun mRNA expression,followed by a parallel,but lagged,change in c-Jun protein production in cultured neonatal bovine retinal nerve cells.These results suggested that CNTF reduces retinal nerve cell apoptosis by modifying Bcl-2 and c-Jun expression.展开更多
Previous studies have reported that non-human primates and rodents exposed to lead during brain development may become dependent on the deposition of pre-determined β-amyloid protein (Aβ),and exhibit upregulation ...Previous studies have reported that non-human primates and rodents exposed to lead during brain development may become dependent on the deposition of pre-determined β-amyloid protein (Aβ),and exhibit upregulation of β-site amyloid precursor protein expression in old age.However,further evidence is required to elucidate the precise relationship and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of early lead exposure on excessive Aβ production in adult mammals.The present study investigated the effects of lead exposure on expression of β-amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme-1 (BACE-1) in the rat retina and the production of Aβ in early development,using the retina as a window for studying Alzheimer's disease.Adult rats were intraocularly injected with different doses of lead acetate (10μmol/L,100μmol/L,1 mmol/L,10 mmol/L and 100 mmol/L).The results revealed that retinal lead concentration,BACE-1 and its cleavage products β-C-terminal fragment and retina Aβ1-40 were all significantly increased in almost all of the lead exposure groups 48 hours later in a dose-dependent manner.The only exception was the 10μmol/L group.The distribution of BACE-1 in the retina did not exhibit obvious changes,and no distinctive increase in the activation of retinal microglia was apparent.Similarly,retinal synaptophysin expression did not exhibit any clear changes.These data suggest that lead exposure can result in the upregulation of retinal neuron BACE-1 expression in the early period of development and further increase the overproduction of Aβ1-40 in the retina.Our results provided novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying environmentally-induced Alzheimer's disease.展开更多
BACKGROUND: The main clinical treatments for optic nerve injury are optic canal decompression and systemic administration of hormones, but both treatments have disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: To observe the pathological c...BACKGROUND: The main clinical treatments for optic nerve injury are optic canal decompression and systemic administration of hormones, but both treatments have disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: To observe the pathological changes in the retina and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) expression, to compare the treatment of optic canal decompression, hormones, and their combination with the intracanalicular optic nerve injury.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled animal study was performed at the Department of Anatomy, Weifang Medical University, China, from September 2007 to November 2008.MATERIALS: Dexamethasone (Shandong Huaxin Pharmaceutical, China) and rabbit anti-GAP-43 polyclonal antibody (Boster, China) were used.METHODS: All 36 healthy adult rabbits were randomly assigned to control group (n = 4), simple injury group (n = 20), and treatment group (n = 12). Intracanalicular optic nerve injury models were established using the metal cylinder free-fall impact method. The control group was left intact. The treatment group (four rabbits in each subgroup) was treated by optic nerve decompression, dexamethasone treatment (1 mg/kg daily via two intravenous infusions, 1/5 total dose reduction every 3 days, for 14 days), and simultaneously giving surgery and hormone treatment.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pathological changes in the retina were determined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. GAP-43 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry in the retina.RESULTS: Retina injury induced obvious pathological changes in the retina. With prolonged time after optic nerve injury, the number of retinal ganglion cells was gradually decreased, and reached the minimum on day 14 (P〈0.01). All three treatments increased the number of retinal ganglion cells (P〈0.01), but surgery + hormone treatment was most effective. No GAP-43 cells were present in the normal retinal, but they appeared 3 days after injury, peaked 7 days after injury, and then began to decline.CONCLUSION: Intracanalicular optic nerve injury induced obvious pathological changes in the retina, including increased GAP-43 expression. Optic canal decompression and hormones improved nerve repair after injury, and their combination produced better outcomes.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes retinal ganglion cell survival. However, the protective mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in retinal tyrosine kina...BACKGROUND: Exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes retinal ganglion cell survival. However, the protective mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in retinal tyrosine kinase receptor B (trkB) expression and effects of exogenous BDNF on trkB activation in a rat model of acute high intraocular pressure (HtOP). DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya Medical School, Central South University from January 2004 to August 2006. MATERIALS: Rabbit anti-BDNF and anti-trkB.FL(full-length) polyclonal antibodies were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA; rabbit anti-p-trkB polyclonal antibodies were purchased from Cellsignal, USA. METHODS: A total of 48 healthy, adult, Sprague Dawiey rats were randomly assigned to acute HIOP (without BDNF pre-treatment) and BDNF pre-treated groups, with 24 animals in each group. In the BDNF pre-treated group, the left eyes were intravitreally injected with 3 pg/kg BDNF 2 days prior to HIOP. Rats in the acute HIOP group were not pre-treated with BDNE HIOP models were established by increased intraocular pressure in the left eyes until the b-wave of flash electroretinogragh disappeared and pressure was maintained for 60 minutes. The right eyes of all rats were not treated and served as the normal controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Retinal structure and cell numbers in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) were detected by Nissl staining; expression of trkB and phosphorylated trkB in the rat retina were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A greater number of GCL neurons were observed in the pre-treated group compared to the acute HIOP group (P 〈 0.05). TrkB expression was significantly increased following HIOP at days 1 and 3 (P 〈 0.05), but expression varied between retinal areas. Although trkB expression decreased at 7 days, phosphorylated trkB dramatically decreased with increasing time (P 〈 0.05). TrkB expression in BDNF pre-treated rats was similar to the acute HIOP group at early injury time points. Nevertheless, trkB expression was significantly decreased compared to the acute HIOP group at 7 days (P 〈 0.05), and phosphorylated trkB expression was significantly greater compared to the acute HIOP group at each time point (P〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: TrkB expression displayed temporal and spatial changes in the rat retina following acute HIOP, and trkB up-regulation suggested that more BDNF was required for treating the injured retina. Exogenous BDNF partially ameliorated decreased expression of phosphorylated trkB and provided protection to the injured retina, to a certain degree, following HIOP.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the Spanish Ministerio de Cienciay Tecnología(BFU2007-67540)the Junta de Extremadura(PRI06A195,GR10152)
文摘Many blinding diseases,such as retinitis pigmentosa,age-related macular degeneration,and glaucoma involve the permanent loss of retinal neurons,especially photoreceptors or the centrally projecting retinal ganglion cells.Stem cells have been proposed as a potential source of cells for neuronal transplantation.
文摘During life human eye is constantly exposed to sunlight and artificial light, the sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS)—the main cause of age-related eye pathology. A novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 has recently been invented to reduce mitochondrial ROS by cleaning the mitochondria matrix, “the dirtiest place in the cell” in respect of ROS production and accumulation. Earlier we studied SkQ1 effects upon retinal pigment epithelium and choroid in the rat eye posterior cups exposed to long-term 3D organotypic culturing. It was found that under in vitro conditions 20 nM SkQ1 effectively reduced cell death in retinal pigment epithelium and choroid and protected the tissues from disintegration and cell withdrawal. In the present study we used same ex vivo conditions to examine the effect of SkQ1 upon the rat neural retina kept in the content of the posterior eye cup. Eye cups were isolated and cultured in vitro during 7, 14, and 30 days under rotation in the presence and absence of 20 nM SkQ1 in the culture medium. Serial sections of cultivated eye cups were subjected to histology, computer morphometry and immunohistochemistry. Obtained results show that SkQ1 operates as a strong protective agent, preventing neuronal cell death and other degenerative processes in the neural retina. Cell rescue by SkQ1 was more vivid in the central part of the retina than at the periphery. That, in turn, suggests SkQ1 effectiveness in treatment of some age-related eye diseases when central part of the retina, including macula, is most susceptible to degeneration.
文摘In humans, optic nerve injuries and associated neurodegenerative diseases are often followed by perma- nent vision loss. Consequently, an important challenge is to develop safe and effective methods to replace retinal neurons and thereby restore neuronal functions and vision. Identifying cellular and molecular mechanisms allowing to replace damaged neurons is a major goal for basic and translational research in regenerative medicine. Contrary to mammals, the zebrafish has the capacity to fully regenerate entire parts of the nervous system, including retina. This regenerative process depends on endogenous retinal neural stem cells, the Miiller glial cells. Following injury, zebrafish Miiller cells go back into cell cycle to proliferate and generate new neurons, while mammalian Mtiller cells undergo reactive gliosis. Recently, transcription factors and microRNAs have been identified to control the formation of new neurons derived from ze- brafish and mammalian Mtiller cells, indicating that cellular reprogramming can be an efficient strategy to regenerate human retinal neurons. Here we discuss recent insights into the use of endogenous neural stem cell reprogramming for neuronal regeneration, differences between zebrafish and mammalian Mtiller cells, and the need to pursue the identification and characterization of new molecular factors with an instructive and potent function in order to develop theurapeutic strategies for eye diseases.
基金sponsored by the Ph.D.Programs Foundation of the Ministry of Education of China,No20090162110019the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province,No. 10JJ4023+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China,No. 2011QNZT128Graduate Scientific Research Innovation Projects of Hunan Province in 2011,No. CX2011B047
文摘A rat model of acute high intraocular pressure was established by injecting saline into the anterior chamber of the left eye. Synaptophysin expression was increased in the inner plexiform layer at 2 hours following injury, and was widely distributed in the outer plexiform layer at 3-7 days, and then decreased to the normal level at 14 days. This suggests that expression of this presynaptic functional protein experienced spatiotemporal alterations after elevation of intraocular pressure. There was no significant change in the fluorescence intensity and distribution pattern for synapse-associated protein 102 following elevated intraocular pressure. Synapse-associated protein 102 immunoreactivity was confined to the outer plexiform layer, while synaptophysin immunoreactivity spread into the outer plexiform layer and the outer nuclear layer at 3 and 7 days following injury. These alterations in presynaptic elements were not accompanied by changes in postsynaptic components.
基金supported by the Department of Health of Hunan Province, No. B2009-050the Science and Technology Foundation of Hunan Province, No.2012FJ4077
文摘The retina of Wistar rats within 1-3 days of birth were dissociated into a retinal ceil suspension using 0.05% trypsin digestion. The cell suspension was incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium for 24 hours, followed by neurobasal medium for 5-7 days. Nissl staining showed that 79.86% of primary cultured retinal cells were positive and immunocytochemical staining showed that the purity of anti-neurofilament heavy chain antibody-positive cells was 71.53%, indicating that the primary culture system of rat retinal neurons was a reliable and stable cell system with neurons as the predominant cell type. The primary cultured retinal neurons were further treated with 0, 5.5, 15, 25, and 35 mM glucose for 24, 48, and 72 hours. The thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide test and flow cytometry showed that with increasing glucose concentration and treatment duration, the viability of retinal neurons was reduced, and apoptosis increased. In particular, 35 mM glucose exhibited the most significant effect at 72 hours. Thus, rat retinal neurons treated with 35 mM glucose for 72 hours can be used to simulate a neuronal model of diabetic retinopathy.
基金generously funded by grants from the Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation(to VBM and MPS)
文摘Hypertension is a risk factor for a large number of vision-threatening eye disorders.In this study,we investigated for the first time the retinal neural structure of the hypertensive BPH/2J mouse(Schlager mouse)and compared it to its control counterpart,the normotensive BPN/3J strain.The BPH/2J mouse is a selectively inbred mouse strain that develops chronic hypertension due to elevated sympathetic nervous system activity.When compared to the BPN/3J strain,the hypertensive BPH/2J mice showed a complete loss of outer layers of the neural retina at 21 weeks of age,which was indicative of a severe vision-threatening disease potentially caused by hypertension.To elucidate whether the retinal neural phenotype in the BPH/2J strain was attributed to increased BP,we investigated the neural retina of both BPN/3J and BPH/2J mice at 4 weeks of age.Our preliminary results showed for the first time that the BPH/2J strain develops severe retinal neural damage at a young age.Our findings suggest that the retinal phenotype in the BPH/2J mouse is possibly due to elevated blood pressure and may be contributed by an early onset spontaneous mutation which is yet to be identified or a congenital defect occurring in this strain.Further characterization of the BPH/2J mouse strain is likely to i)elucidate gene defects underlying retinal disease;ii)understand mechanisms leading to neural retinal disease and iii)permit testing of molecules for translational research to interfere with the progression of retinal disease.The animal experiments were performed with the approval of the Royal Perth Hospital Animal Ethics Committee(R535/17-18)on June 1,2017.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 30973262
文摘BACKGROUND:In various retinal neurodegenerative animal models,ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) exhibits prominent neuroprotective effects on retinal nerve cells.Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein.c-Jun is upregulated and phosphorylated in the activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway,which subsequently mediates apoptosis.However,the effect of CNTF on Bcl-2 and c-Jun expression in retinal nerve cells remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:To determine the dynamic changes in retinal nerve cell apoptosis,as well as bcl-2 and c-jun gene and protein expression,following a single dose of CNTF in a short period of time.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A single-blind,randomized,controlled,in vitro experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of Beijing Tongren Hospital from May 2008 to April 2009.MATERIALS:Neonatal bovine retinal nerve cells (Chinese Holstein),recombinant human CNTF (PeproTech,Rocky Hill,NJ,USA),rabbit polyclonal anti-Bcl-2 and c-Jun antibodies (Abeam,Cambridge,UK),fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated annexin V/propidium iodide kit (BioVision,Mountain View,CA,USA),real time polymerase chain reaction instrument (ABI,Foster City,CA,USA),and flow cytometer (BD FACSCalibur,Franklin Lakes,NJ,USA).METHODS:Neonatal bovine retinal cells from passage 2 were cultured for 3 days and incubated with,or without,50 ng/mL CNTF (control).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Cell apoptosis was detected via Annexin V-FITC/PI double-staining and flow cytometry.bcl-2 and c-jun mRNA and protein expression were detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.RESULTS:The proportion of late-stage apoptotic cells was significantly decreased at 2,4,and 6 days after CNTF treatment compared with the control group (P 〈 0.01).CNTF did not alter bcl-2 mRNA expression at the three time points,but significantly increased Bcl-2 protein expression at 2 and 4 days (P 〈 0.01).c-jun mRNA expression was significantly decreased 4 days after CNTF treatment (P〈 0.01).In addition,c-Jun protein expression was slightly increased at 4 days (P〈 0.01),but decreased at 6 days,compared with the control group (P〈 0.05).CONCLUSION:A single dose of CNTF (50 ng/mL) upregulated Bcl-2 protein and downregulated c-jun mRNA expression,followed by a parallel,but lagged,change in c-Jun protein production in cultured neonatal bovine retinal nerve cells.These results suggested that CNTF reduces retinal nerve cell apoptosis by modifying Bcl-2 and c-Jun expression.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30900773the National University Basic Research Foundation of China,No.2010QZZD022
文摘Previous studies have reported that non-human primates and rodents exposed to lead during brain development may become dependent on the deposition of pre-determined β-amyloid protein (Aβ),and exhibit upregulation of β-site amyloid precursor protein expression in old age.However,further evidence is required to elucidate the precise relationship and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of early lead exposure on excessive Aβ production in adult mammals.The present study investigated the effects of lead exposure on expression of β-amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme-1 (BACE-1) in the rat retina and the production of Aβ in early development,using the retina as a window for studying Alzheimer's disease.Adult rats were intraocularly injected with different doses of lead acetate (10μmol/L,100μmol/L,1 mmol/L,10 mmol/L and 100 mmol/L).The results revealed that retinal lead concentration,BACE-1 and its cleavage products β-C-terminal fragment and retina Aβ1-40 were all significantly increased in almost all of the lead exposure groups 48 hours later in a dose-dependent manner.The only exception was the 10μmol/L group.The distribution of BACE-1 in the retina did not exhibit obvious changes,and no distinctive increase in the activation of retinal microglia was apparent.Similarly,retinal synaptophysin expression did not exhibit any clear changes.These data suggest that lead exposure can result in the upregulation of retinal neuron BACE-1 expression in the early period of development and further increase the overproduction of Aβ1-40 in the retina.Our results provided novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying environmentally-induced Alzheimer's disease.
基金the Educational Commission of Shandong Province of China,No. J06L23
文摘BACKGROUND: The main clinical treatments for optic nerve injury are optic canal decompression and systemic administration of hormones, but both treatments have disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: To observe the pathological changes in the retina and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) expression, to compare the treatment of optic canal decompression, hormones, and their combination with the intracanalicular optic nerve injury.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled animal study was performed at the Department of Anatomy, Weifang Medical University, China, from September 2007 to November 2008.MATERIALS: Dexamethasone (Shandong Huaxin Pharmaceutical, China) and rabbit anti-GAP-43 polyclonal antibody (Boster, China) were used.METHODS: All 36 healthy adult rabbits were randomly assigned to control group (n = 4), simple injury group (n = 20), and treatment group (n = 12). Intracanalicular optic nerve injury models were established using the metal cylinder free-fall impact method. The control group was left intact. The treatment group (four rabbits in each subgroup) was treated by optic nerve decompression, dexamethasone treatment (1 mg/kg daily via two intravenous infusions, 1/5 total dose reduction every 3 days, for 14 days), and simultaneously giving surgery and hormone treatment.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pathological changes in the retina were determined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. GAP-43 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry in the retina.RESULTS: Retina injury induced obvious pathological changes in the retina. With prolonged time after optic nerve injury, the number of retinal ganglion cells was gradually decreased, and reached the minimum on day 14 (P〈0.01). All three treatments increased the number of retinal ganglion cells (P〈0.01), but surgery + hormone treatment was most effective. No GAP-43 cells were present in the normal retinal, but they appeared 3 days after injury, peaked 7 days after injury, and then began to decline.CONCLUSION: Intracanalicular optic nerve injury induced obvious pathological changes in the retina, including increased GAP-43 expression. Optic canal decompression and hormones improved nerve repair after injury, and their combination produced better outcomes.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30100098, 30570979
文摘BACKGROUND: Exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes retinal ganglion cell survival. However, the protective mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes in retinal tyrosine kinase receptor B (trkB) expression and effects of exogenous BDNF on trkB activation in a rat model of acute high intraocular pressure (HtOP). DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya Medical School, Central South University from January 2004 to August 2006. MATERIALS: Rabbit anti-BDNF and anti-trkB.FL(full-length) polyclonal antibodies were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA; rabbit anti-p-trkB polyclonal antibodies were purchased from Cellsignal, USA. METHODS: A total of 48 healthy, adult, Sprague Dawiey rats were randomly assigned to acute HIOP (without BDNF pre-treatment) and BDNF pre-treated groups, with 24 animals in each group. In the BDNF pre-treated group, the left eyes were intravitreally injected with 3 pg/kg BDNF 2 days prior to HIOP. Rats in the acute HIOP group were not pre-treated with BDNE HIOP models were established by increased intraocular pressure in the left eyes until the b-wave of flash electroretinogragh disappeared and pressure was maintained for 60 minutes. The right eyes of all rats were not treated and served as the normal controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Retinal structure and cell numbers in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) were detected by Nissl staining; expression of trkB and phosphorylated trkB in the rat retina were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A greater number of GCL neurons were observed in the pre-treated group compared to the acute HIOP group (P 〈 0.05). TrkB expression was significantly increased following HIOP at days 1 and 3 (P 〈 0.05), but expression varied between retinal areas. Although trkB expression decreased at 7 days, phosphorylated trkB dramatically decreased with increasing time (P 〈 0.05). TrkB expression in BDNF pre-treated rats was similar to the acute HIOP group at early injury time points. Nevertheless, trkB expression was significantly decreased compared to the acute HIOP group at 7 days (P 〈 0.05), and phosphorylated trkB expression was significantly greater compared to the acute HIOP group at each time point (P〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: TrkB expression displayed temporal and spatial changes in the rat retina following acute HIOP, and trkB up-regulation suggested that more BDNF was required for treating the injured retina. Exogenous BDNF partially ameliorated decreased expression of phosphorylated trkB and provided protection to the injured retina, to a certain degree, following HIOP.