ObjectiveTo dynamically observe the effect of N-acetylserotonin (NAS) on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) protein in retina of retinal ischemia reperfusion injury (RIRI) rats, and to explore the mechanism.MethodsBy using random number table method, 90 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham operation group (n=10), RIRI group (n=40), and NAS group (n=40). The right eye was as the experimental eye. In the RIRI group and NAS group, the anterior chamber high intraocular pressure method was used to establish the RIRI model. In the NAS group, 10 mg/kg NAS was injected intraperitoneally before modeling and 30 minutes after modeling. At 6, 12, 24, 72 h after modeling, hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the retina, and the retinal ganglion cells (RGC) were counted. Each group was detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot about the relative expression of TNF-α, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein in the rat retina. One-way analysis of variance was used for differences between groups. The general linear regression method was used to analyze the correlation between the relative expression changes of TNF-α protein and the changes of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression after NAS intervention.ResultsOptical microscope observation revealed that the retinal edema of rats in the RIRI group was observed at 6, 12, and 24 h after modeling; the thickness of the retina in the NAS group was significantly thinner than that in the RIRI group, and the difference was statistically significant (F=9.645, 477.150, 2.432; P＜0.01). At 6, 12, 24, and 72 h after modeling, the retinal RGC counts in the NAS group were significantly higher than those in the RIRI group, and the difference was statistically significant (F=12.225, 12.848, 117.655, 306.394; P＜0.05). The results of immunohistochemical staining and Western blot showed that 6 h after modeling, the relative expression of TNF-α protein in the retina of the RIRI group increased significantly compared with that in the sham operation group, reaching a higher level at 12 h, and decreased at 24 and 72 h. But all were significantly higher than the sham operation group, the difference was statistically significant (immunohistochemical staining: F=105.893, 1 356.076, 434.026, 337.351; P＜0.01; Western blot: F=92.906, 534.948, 327.600, 385.324; P＜0.01). At different time points after modeling, the relative expression of TNF-α protein in the retina of the NAS group was significantly lower than that of the RIRI group (immunohistochemical staining: F=15.408, 570.482, 21.070, 13.767; P＜0.05; Western blot: F=12.618, 115.735, 13.176, 111.108; P＜0.05), but still higher than the sham operation group (immunohistochemical staining: F=40.709, 151.032, 156.321, 216.035; P＜0.01; Western blot: F=33.943, 79.729, 74.057, 64.488; P＜0.01), the difference was statistically significant; 12 h after modeling, Nrf2 in the retina of the NAS group (immunohistochemical staining: F=51.122, P＜0.05; Western blot: F=33.972, P＜0.05), HO-1 (immunohistochemical staining: F=30.750, P＜0.05; Western blot: F=18.283, P＜0.05) protein relative expression was significantly higher than that of RIRI group, and the differences were statistically significant. The results of linear regression analysis showed that the difference in the number of TNF-α+ cells in the RIRI group and the NAS group was negatively correlated with the difference in the number of Nrf2+ and HO-1+ cells (r2=0.923, 0.936; P＜0.01).ConclusionsNAS can inhibit the expression of TNF-α protein in the retina of RIRI rats and reduce RIRI. The mechanism may be related to the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of interleukin (IL) 10 modified endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in diabetic retinopathy (DR).
MethodsEPC cells were collected and cultivated from the bone marrow of rats and identified by immuno-fluorescence staining. EPC cells were infected with lentivirus (LV) of EPC-LV-IL10-GFP (EPC-LV-IL10-GFP group) or EPC-LV-NC-GFP (GFP group). EPC cells without lentivirus infection was the EPC group. Enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL10, IL8 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the supernatant of these three groups. 168 male Wistar rats were divided into normal control group (28 rats), diabetes mellitus (DM) group (28 rats), DM-blank control group (56 rats) and DM-intervention group (56 rats). DM was introduced in the latter 3 groups by streptozotocin intravenous injection. Three months later, the rats in the DM-blank control group and DM-intervention group were injected with EPC-LV-NC-GFP or EPC-LV-IL10-GFP by tail vein, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the GFP expression in rat retinas. The blood-retinal barrier breakdown was detected by Evans blue (EB) dye. The retinal histopathologic changes were observed by transmission electron microscope. The mRNA level of VEGF, matrix metallproteinases-9 (MMP-9), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in retina were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
ResultsELISA showed that the levels of TNF-αand IL8 in the supernatant significantly decreased, while the levels of IL10 and VEGF increased (P < 0.05) in EPC-LV-IL10-GFP group. GFP expressed in the retina of blank control group and intervention group, mainly in the ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer and outer plexiform layer. The retinal blood vessel pathological change and EB permeability significantly decreased in intervention group compared with DM group (P < 0.05), and blank control group (P < 0.05). RT-PCR revealed that the mRNA level of VEGF, MMP-9 and Ang-1 significantly increased, and eNOS decreased in DM group compared to the normal control group (P < 0.05). The mRNA level of VEGF and iNOS decreased, eNOS increased while Ang-1 and MMP-9 had not changed in DM-blank control group and DM-intervention group compared with DM group (P < 0.05).
ConclusionsIL10 modified EPC can improve the inflammative microenvironment and suppressed the pathogenesis of DR. Furthermore, EPC transplantation can increase the number of EPC and exerted their effect.
Objective
To explore the consistency and significance of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and clinical and histopathological findings in adoptively transferred uveitis in mice.
Methods
The adoptively transferred experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) model was established by intraperitoneal injection of antigen-specific T cells in C57BL/6 mice. Since 9 days after transferred, inflammation of eyes was observed by indirect ophthalmoscope with +90D lens and record clinical scores every 3 days. The disease was divided into 6 phases including onset phase, early phase, pre-peak phase, peak phase, resolution phase and late phase of EAU, which respectively corresponding to clinical score 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 - 2.0, 2.5 - 3.0, 1.0 - 2.0 and less than 1.0. Since 9 days after transferred, the retina and retinal thickness (RT) was measured by spectralis OCT about 1 disc from the disc edge in 10 time points including 9, 11, 16, 21, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50 and 60 days after transferred. The OCT score was recorded as from 0.0 to 4.0. After transferred 9, 21 and 60 days, the mice were killed and eye balls were examined in histology. OCT score, clinical score and histology in the mouse were compared and analyzed.
Results
The disease was divided into onset phase, early phase, pre-peak phase and peak phase of EAU, which respectively corresponding to 9, 16, 21 and 26 days after transferred. In four phases, OCT score were 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 respectively. After transferred 30 days, which was in resolution phase of EAU, the inflammation cells in vitreous were decreased and OCT score was 3.0. After transferred 60 days, which was in late phase of EAU, inflammation cells in vitreous were disappeared and retina was atrophic topically. The histology showed the vitreous has slight inflammation cells and retinal structure was normal at onset of EAU. The vitreous has massive inflammation cells and retina structure was disorder at pre-peak of EAU. And in resolution phase of EAU, the inflammation cells in vitreous were slightly and retina was atrophic and thinned. The data in this study demonstrated that OCT score was well correlated with clinical score in EAU (r=0.957 9, P < 0.000 1).
Conclusion
OCT and clinical and histopathological findings in adoptively transferred uveitis in mice were consistency and OCT is contribute to evaluate the disease dynamically and quantifiably.
Objective：To observe the expression of gene and protein l evel of unfolded protein, glucoseregulated protein 78 (GRP78), after retinal d etachment (RD); to find out the relationship between UPR and the cell damage after RD.
Methods：Eightyeight Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: con trol group (11 rats) and RD group (77 rats). In RD group, subretinal injection with 10 mg/ml hyaluronic acid sodium was performed on the left eyes of the rats t o set up RD model, and the left eyes and retinal tissue were collected 1/2 day, 1 day, 2, 4, 8, 1 6 and 32 days after RD; there were 11 rats in each subgroup. The expression of G RP78 mRNA in retina tissue was detected by semiquantitative reverse transcript i on polymerase chain reaction (RT－PCR), the expression of GRP78 protein level wa s detected by Western blotting, and the distribution of GRP78 in each retinal lay er was observed by immunofluorescence labeling method and confocal microscopy.
Results：The expression of retinal GRP78 mRNA significantly in creased in 1/2 day , 1 day, 2, and 4 days subgroups after RD (Plt;0.05). The expression of GRP7 8 protein significantly increased in each subgroup after RD compared with which in the control group, and reached the peak in 8, 16, and 32 days subgroups. The expres sion of GRP78 protein was detected in all of the retinal layers after RD.
Conclusion：The protection mechanism of UPR starts up after RD, and l eads the correc t pucker of the protein and reduces cellular injury by upregulating the expres s ion of GRP78, which provide the theoretic basis for reducing the cellular injury and improving the visual function in patients with RD.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Crocin on structure and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha; (TNF-alpha;) and interleukin-1beta; (IL-1beta;) in rat retina after injury by ischemia-reperfusion. Methods A total of 80 Sprague-Dawley male rats at the age of 8 -10 weeks were divided into control group, model group, low-dose Crocin group and high-dose Crocin group, with 20 rats in each group. The rats of control group were not treated. The rats in model, low-dose Crocin and high-dose Crocin group were induced with normal saline by anterior chamber perfusion creating a retinal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR) model. The rats of the low-dose Crocin and highdose Crocin group received intraperitoneal injection with different doses of Crocin solution (5 mg/kg, or 50 mg/kg) 30 minutes prior to ischemic injury and one time per day after successful RIR. Optical microscopy was used to observe the retinal structure. Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the expression of TNF-alpha; and IL-1beta; 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after RIR. ResultsThe retinal structure of control group was normal. Pathological changes were found in the RIR model and low-dose Crocin group, such as retinal edema, disorganized structure and loosely packed cells. The degree of pathological changes in lowdose Crocin group was less than the RIR model group. The retinal structure of high-dose Crocin group was similar to the control group. The expression of TNF-alpha; was the highest at 24 hours after modeling, while the expression of IL-1beta; was the highest at 12 and 48 hours after RIR modeling. Six, 12, 24 and 48 hours after RIR modeling, compared with the control group, the TNF-alpha; expression of model (t=5.42, 7.94, 9.32, 9.18;P＜0.05 ), low-dose Crocin (t=3.94, 4.12, 4.98, 3.84;P＜0.05) and high-dose Crocin group (t=2.13, 2.34, 2.96, 2.78;P＞0.05) were increased. Compared with the RIR model group, the TNF-alpha; expression of low-dose Crocin (t=3.95, 4.56, 4.01, 5.12) and high-dose Crocin group (t=5.23, 7.65, 7.74, 7.63) was decreased. Compared with the control group, the IL-1beta; expression of model (t=7.23, 7.87, 7.15, 15.60), low-dose Crocin (t=5.65, 5.10, 5.54, 6.87;P＜0.05) and high-dose Crocin group (t=4.38, 5.21, 4.56, 4.75) was increased (P＜0.05). Compared with the model group, the IL-1beta; expression of low.dose Crocin group was decreased significantly 48 hours after RIR modeling (t=7.56,P＜0.05); but it decreased significantly at each time point in high-dose Crocin group (t=6.94, 5.36, 6.05, 10.50;P＜0.05). Conclusion Crocin can improve the retinal pathologic changes, while down-regulating TNF-alpha; and IL-1beta; expression in RIR rats.
ObjectiveTo investigate the medium and long-term influence of silicon oil versus heavy silicone oil on rabbit retinas.
Methods28 health standard rabbits were randomly divided into A, B and C groups, with 12, 12 and 4 rabbits respectively. All rabbits received routine vitrectomy and tamponade with silicone oil (group A), or heavy silicone oil (group B) or balanced salt solution (group C). After 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks, the retinal b-wave amplitude was measured by ERG, posterior retinal thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Retinal ultrastructure and tissue morphology were observed by transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy.
ResultsCompare to group C, the b-wave amplitude decreased at 4 weeks after surgery, and decreased at 8 weeks after surgery for group B, and decreased at 8 weeks after surgery, and decreased at 24 weeks after surgery for group A. The decreases were greater in group B than group A at 8, 12, 24 weeks after surgery, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The posterior retinal thickness of group A and B was thinner than group C at 24 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05). The decreases were greater in group B than group A, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy revealed severe pathological changes of retinal ultrastructure and morphology in group A and B rabbit eyes, at 12 weeks and 8 weeks after surgery respectively. The changes were more severe in group B and group A, including edema and necrosis in cone/rod cells, in disk membranes, mitochondria, cytoplasm, nucleus and other organelles. The morphological changes were also more severe in group B and group A, including degenerations of ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer changes. Those changes became more severe when the tamponade time extended.
ConclusionThe heavy silicone influence on visual function, ultrastructures, histomorphology of rabbit retinas is much worse than the silicon oil, and the effect is more significant with its time prolong.
Objective To assess the effects of 670nm LED (lightemitting diode) to protect the photoreceptor from the lightinduced damage in a rat model. Methods 32 SD rats were randomly assigned to one of eight groups: untreated control group, the LEDtreated control group, three groups of lightinduced damage，and three groups of lightinduced damage treated with LED. Lightinduced damage result from exposing to constant light for 3 hours of different illuminations of 900，1800 and 2700 lx, respectively. The LED treatment (50 mW) was delivered for 30 minutes at 3 hours before the light damage and 0，24 and 48 hours after the light damage. Retinal function and morphology were measured by electroretinogram (ERG) and histopathology assay. Results The illumination of 900 lx for 3 hours did not damage the rat retina. The illumination of 1800 lx for 3 hours resulted in thinner ONL and no OS and IS. The ratio of damaged area/total retinal area was 048plusmn;012， the damaged thickness of ONL/normal ONL (L5 ) was 039plusmn;007，and the amplitude of ERG b wave was (431plusmn;120) mu;V. With the LED treatment the ratio of damaged area decreased (M6=017plusmn;0.12, P5/6=0.002), and the ratio of the damaged thickness of ONL also decreased (L6=0.22plusmn;0.09, P5/6lt;0.01), and the amplitude of ERG b wave increased to (1011plusmn;83) mu;V（P5/6lt;0.001）. The illumination of 2700 lx for 3 hours caused severed damage to the rat retina and the LED could not protect them significantly. Conclusions 670 nm LED treatment has an evident protective effect on retinal cells against light-induced damage, which may be a simple and effective therapy to prevent or to delay agerelated macular degeneration.
Objective To investigate the effects of recombinant adeno-associated virus type-2 (rAAV2) mediated delivery of pigment epitheliumderived factor (PEDF) on oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization (OIRNV) in mice. Methods A total of 22 C57/BL6 mice at the age of 3 days received intravitreal injections of 1 mu;l rAAV2-PEDF and rAAV2EGFP into the left eyes (experimental group) and the right eyes (control group). All mice were put into the oxygen box right after the injection to induce the OIRNV model.4 mice were sacrificed and PEDF protein in retina was measured by western blot at postnatal days 13 (P13). Twelve mice underwent retinal angiography with high molecular weight fluoresceindextran, and another 6 mice were sacrificed for retinal lectin immunohistochemistry staining at P17. Absolute and relative nonperfusion areas of retinal neovascularization were analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 5.1 software. Results The expression level of PEDF protein was higher in the experimental group than that in the control group.The absolute nonperfusion area was (0.96plusmn;0.22) mm2 in the experimental group and (1.96plusmn;0.34) mm2 in the control group; the difference between the two groups was significant（t=-8.554, P＜0.01）. The relative nonperfusion area was (8.64plusmn;1.52)% in the experimental group and (17.27plusmn;2.98)% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (t=-8.97, P＜0.01).The absolute area of retinal neovascularization was (0.37plusmn;0.11) mm2 in the experimental group which was obviously higher than (1.26plusmn;0.38) mm2 in the control group (t=-7.8, P＜0.01); the relative areas in experimental and control groups was (3.96plusmn;0.66)% and (11.45plusmn;2.06)%, respectively, whose difference is apparently(t=-8.51, P＜0.01).The areas of retina neovascularization were (0.11plusmn;0.003) mm2 and (0.41plusmn;0.02) mm2 in the experimental and control groups, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was significant（t=-5.14, P＜0.01）.Conclusions PEDF protein can stably express in the mice retina after rAAV2-PEDF transfetion. rAAV2-PEDF can decrease the retinal non-perfusion areas and inhibit the retinal neovascularization in OIRNV mice.
ObjectiveTo observe the influence of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) sensibilization to retinal ganglion cells (RGC) apoptosis of rats.
MethodsThirty-five female Wistar rats were randomly divided into HSP27 sensibilization group (15 rats), borate buffer solution (BBS) control group (15 rats) and normal group (5 rats). The rats in HSP27 sensibilization group were received hypodermic injection in rear limb with 100 μg HSP27 and complete freund adjuvant, intraperitoneal injection with 1 μg pertussis toxin. The BBS control group received the same volume of BBS at the same site. The normal group received no intervention. The intraocular pressure was measured 3 days before injection and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks after injection. Four, 6 and 8 weeks after injection, the retinal frozen sections was made to observe RGC apoptosis by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling. The anti-HSP27 level in serum and cerebrospinal fluid were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.
ResultsThere was no obvious change of intraocular pressure in rats in 3 groups before injection (P>0.05). RGC apoptosis was observed in HSP27 sensibilization group 4 weeks after injection, and increased significantly at 6 weeks after injection. There was no RGC apoptosis in BBS control group and normal group. The level of anti-HSP27 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of HSP27 sensibilization group occurred at 4 and 6 weeks after injection respectively, decreased with prolongation of injection time. Compared with BBS control group and normal group, the RGC apoptosis rate, anti-HSP27 level in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of HSP27 sensibilization group were significantly increased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference of the RGC apoptosis rate, anti-HSP27 level in serum and cerebrospinal fluid between BBS control group and normal group (P>0.05).
ConclusionsHSP27 sensibilization could promote the RGC apoptosis. The variation trend of anti-HSP27 level in cerebrospinal fluid is consistent with the RGC apoptosis.
Objective To observe the efficacy of the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha; monoclonal antibody (TNF-alpha; MCAb) in the treatment of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Methods EAU animal models were induced by interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) R16 peptide with immunization. The rats were divided into 2 groups according to the injection times. TNF-alpha; MCAb was administered intravenously on day 6 or 4, 6 and 8 post-immunization respectively, and then to observe the clinical expression by slit-lamp microscope. Meanwhile, take the rats which did not accept TNF-alpha; MCAb as control group. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses were measured on day 13 post-immunization of IRBP R16; the rats were killed on day 14 post-immunization of IRBP R16, and then enucleated the eyes for histopathological examination. To detect the cytokine level of IFN-gamma;, IL-4 in serum and IFN-gamma; in aqueous humor by enzyme-liked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on day 14 post-injection. The hyperplasia responses of antigen specific lymphocyte of draining lymph node cells were detected. Results The TNF-alpha; MCAb group had mitigated ocular inflammation and decreased pathological grades compared with the control group; the IFN-gamma; concentrations in aqueous humor and serum were decreased, IL-4 was increased in serum; DTH responses were decreased; the hyperplasia responses of draining lymphocytes to IRBP R16 peptide were decreased, all the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01). The rats accepted TNF-alpha; MCAb thrice had much better curative effect than the rats injected once (P＜0.05). Conclusions Injection of TNF-alpha; MCAb can inhibit ocular inflammation and specific immune cells of EAU remarkably and change the Th1/Th2 balance. Many times injections of TNF-alpha; MCAb were more effective than once.
