Objective
To investigate the interference effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on apoptosis of retinal cells in experimental retinal detac hment (RD).
Methods
Twenty seven Sprague-Dawely rats were selected, and the left and right eyes were in the experimental control group and NGF group, respectively. After the RD model was set up by subretinal injection with sodium hyaluronate, 5mu;l NGF（1mu;g/mu;l）was injected into the vitreous body of the right eyes which were in the NGF group; 5mu;l PBS was injected into vitreous body of left eyes which were in the experimental control group. The injection was performed once every 4 days till the end of the observation period. The eye balls of the 27 rats were extrafted 1.5, 3, 6, 12 hours, 1 day, 2, 4, 8 , 16, and 32 days after the RD model was established. Another 2 rats were selected as the normal control, which underwent none of the injections but eyeball extraction at the end of the observation period. TUNEL and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect the apoptosis of the retinal cells. Cell counts and statis tical analysis were used to assess results.
Results
Typical apoptosis cells were observed in the early time of RD. Apoptosis was found in each retinal layers, especially in inner and outer nuclear layers. The number of apoptosis cells increased as the time of RD was prolonged（Plt;0.01）. It was also found that apoptosis cells in NGF group were less than that in the experimenta l control group（Plt;0.01）.
Conclusion
Intravitreous injection exogenous NGF may inhibit the apoptosis of retinal cells in experimental RD.
(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 333-335)
Objective To investigate the expression of matrix metallo proteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in rats′optical nerves after extrusion wound. Methods We set up the model of rats with extrusion wound of the optical nerves, detected activity changes of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the optical nerves by gelatin zymography, identified the attribute by Western blotting, and verified the expression of mRNA of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ). Results MMP-2 existed in normal optial nerves and optical nerves with extrusion wound, while MMP-9 was only detected in the latter. The expression of MMP-9 was the highest 1 day after the extrusion wound, while that of MMP-2 was the highest 7 days after the extrusion wound. Conclusions MMP-2 and MMP-9 may participate in the pathological recovery process of optical nerves after extrusion wound. The glial cells in the optical nerves may be one of the sources of MMP-2 and MMP-9. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：269-332)
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and relation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in rats with diabetic retinopathy.MethodFifty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group (10 rats), and 1, 3, and 5-month-diabetes group (15 rats in each diabetes group), and the diabetic models were set up. The expressions of VEGF and bFGF were detected by situ hybridation and immunohistochemistry on retinal paraffin sections.ResultsThe results of situ hybridation showed that expression of bFGF was found in 3-month-deatbtes group with the percentage of 77.8%, and 88.9% in 5-month-deatbtes group; the positive expression of VEGF was not found in 3-month-deatbtes group but in 5-month-deatbtes group with the percentage of 66.7%. Immunohistochemistry indicated that the positive expression of bFGF started in 3-month-deatbtes group with the percentage of 55.6%, and 88.9% in 5-month-deatbtes group; the percentage of the expression of VEGF was 33.3% in 3-month-deatbtes group and 88.9% in 5-month-deatbtes group.ConclusionThe expression of VEGF occurs after the expression of bFGF in rats with DR.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:37-40)
Objective To investigate if insulin can affect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the retina of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods A total of 60 male SpragueDawley rats were randomly divided into sodium citrate buffer control group (CIT-CON, n=30) and STZ-induced diabetic group (STZ-DM, n=30). At the 16th week, 24 rats from CIT-CON group at random were randomly divided to group A (sodium citrate buffer control group, n=12) and group B (sodium citrate buffer plus insulin group, n=12). The remaining 6 rats from as CIT-CON group served as negative control. At the same time, 24 rats from STZDM group at random were randomly divided to group C (STZinduced diabetic group, n=12) and group D (STZ-induced diabetic plus insulin group, n=12). The remaining 6 rats from STZ-DM group also served as negative control. 4 IU of insulin was injected subcutaneously to rats of group B and D. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to measure the expression level of VEGF protein and mRNA respectively. RESULTS Insulin significantly increased the VEGF mRNA (7.71plusmn;0.25 vs 5.36plusmn;0.37, t test Plt;0.05) and protein expression (0.4925plusmn;0.0122 vs 0.4272plusmn;0.0110, t test Plt;0.05) in the retina of CITCON rats. However, in retina of STZDM rats, insulin had no effect on VEGF mRNA (8.92plusmn;0.27 vs 9.05plusmn;0.28, t test, Pgt;0.05) and protein expression (0.5152plusmn;0.0109 vs 0.5099plusmn;0.0100, t test Pgt;0.05). Conclusions Insulin had no effect on VEGF expression in the retina of STZ-DM rats.
Objective To investigate the expression of T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ8.3 gene on CD4+ T lymphocytes in the rats with experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Methods Eighteen Lewis rats were divided into EAU, complete Freund′s adjuvant, and the control group. Inter photoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) R16 peptide was synthesized using Fmoc procedure for induction of EAU. Magnetic absorption cell sorting (MACS) me thod was used to isolate the CD4+T lymphocytes from the spleen of the rats. Flow cytometry was used to monitor the efficiency of isolation. The expression of TCR Vβ8.3 gene segment on CD4+T lymphocytes was determined by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results EAU was successfully induced in the Lewis rats immunized with IRBP R16 peptide. The proportion of CD4+T lymphocytes isolated by means of MACS was statistically higher than that before isolation (P＜0.001). The expression of TCR Vβ8.3 gene segment on CD4+ T lymphocytes in EAU rats was significantly higher than that in the control (P＜0.05). Conclusions There is a predominant usage of antigen-specific TCR Vβ 8.3 gene in EAU rats induced by IR BP R16 peptide, which may serve as a target for immunotherapy of EAU. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：165-167)
Objective To observe the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in ratrs retina after iscbemia/reperfusion injury.Methods The rat model of experimental retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury was made by increasing the intraocular pressure. Tweenty-four Wistar rats were divided into normal (3 rats) and operation group (21 rats) randomly. The latter group was subdivided into group 0 hour, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after reperfusion, in which the left eyes of the rats were in the ischemia/reperfusion groups and the right ones were in the treatment groups (bFGF 2 t~g intracameral injection). The expression of HSP70 was observed by strept avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemistry. Results No HSP70 positive cells were found in normal group; a few of HSP70 positive cells were found 0 hour after reperfusion [20.8±4. 5) cells/mm2], and increased gradually until reached the peak 24 hours later [(111.2±4.4) cells/mm2] and then decreased gradually. Few HSP70 positive cells were found 72 hours after reperfusion. The amount of HSP70 positive cells increased in treatment group at all time courses, and the peak time was earlier and longer than that in ischemia group. HSP70 positive cells distributed extensively in retinal ganglion cell layer and inner nucleous layer. The difference of the amount of HSP70 positive cells between the two groups was significant (Plt;0.05) 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after reperfusion.Conclusion bFGF can enhance the expression of HSP70 in rat’s retina after retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：37-39)
Objective To explore the effect of ischemia-reperfusion injury on the retinal functions of rats. Methods Seventy Wistar rats were selected, 20 of which were selected randomly and divided into two groups (control group and single-irrigated group). The rats were anesthetized and their anterior chambers of the right eyes were cannulated with a 7-gauge needle connected to a reservoir containing ringers balanced salt solution, which was maintained at the same level o f the eye for 1 hour. After that, ERG was recorded in both eyes of all rats. All the left rats were divided randomly into 10 groups and they were treated as the single-irrigated group. Retinal ischemia was induced by raising the reservoir to a height of 150 mm Hg. One hour later except the single ischemia group, all o f t he groups resumed perfusion after 3,6,12,and 24 hours and 3,5,7,14,and 21 days s eparately. ERG was recorded in both eyes of all rats.Results There was no difference in the results of ERG between left and right eyes in either the control group or the single-irrigated group. All the waves of ERG vanished in the single-ischemia group after 1 hour. In the ischemia-reperfusion groups, the waves of ERG partly recovered and the amplitude reduced persistently and progressively.Conclusion Ischemia-reperfusion injury may affect the function of the retina persistently and progressively. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：201-268)
ObjectiveTo analyze the regulative rule of mRNA of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy, and to elucidate the possible mechanism of occurrence of neovascularization in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).MethodsSixty 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into oxygen-induced retinopathy group and control group. In oxygen-induced retinopathy group, 36 mice were exposed to 75% oxygen for 5 days and then to room air for 5 days; in control group, 24 mice were raised in room air. Vascular perfusion of fluorescein and retinal stretched preparation were used to observe the morphologic changes of retinal vessels. Reversal transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to observe changes of VEGF mRNA in each group. ResultsIn oxygen-induced retinopathy group, the morphologic characteristics of retinal vessels were the unperfused area at the center of superficial and deepseated vessels, and the neovascularization appeared at mid-peripheral retina after 2 days in relative hypoxia condition. The results of RT-PCR showed space-time corresponding relation between expression of VEGF and neovascularization, which meant that the transcription of VEGF mRNA decreased in hyperxia conditionand increased in relative hypoxia condition. ConclusionHypoxia is the main reason of occurrence of retinal neovascularization; increased expression of VEGF caused by relative hypoxia after hyperxia might be effective in reducing the occurrence of neovascularization in ROP.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:292-295)
Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of intravitreal injection with cyclosporin-A(CsA) on blood-retinal barrier (BRB) in diabetic rats. Methods A total of 48 Sprague-Dawley male mice at the age of 8-10 weeks were divided into normal group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group, CsA group and DMSO group, with 12 rats in each group. The rats in DM, CsA group and DMSO group were induced with streptozotocin (STZ) injection creating a diabetic retinopathy model. The same volume of citric sodium citrate buffer was injected into the rats in the normal group. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the BRB permeability, Western blot was used to measure the protein expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor 72 hours after injection. Results Compared with the normal group, the BRB permeability, ICAM-1 and VEGF expression were significantly increased in DM group (F=29.350, 29.240, 9.658; P＜0.01). Compared with the DM group, the BRB permeability, ICAM-1 and VEGF expression were significantly decreased in CsA group (t=3.174, 5.000, 3.352; P＜0.05); but there was no obvious change of above indexes in DMSO group (t=0.420, 0.561, 0.312; P＞0.05). Conclusion Intravitreal injection of CsA has protective effects on BRB in diabetic rats. Down-regulated expression of ICAM-1 and VEGF may be the mechanism.
Objctive To explore the relationship between the expression of Fas/FasL and the apoptosis occurs in retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury of rats , as well as the therapeutic effects of bFGF on the ischemic retina.Methods Th emodels of retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury was made by transient elevating introcular pressure. A total of 28 rats were divided into normal and operation group.The latter were subdivided into 1 hour, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after reperfusion group, in which the left eyes of the rats were in the ischemia/reper fusion groups and the right ones were in the treatment groups (bFGF intracameral injection). Apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling (TUNEL) method, and the expression of Fas and Fas ligand was studied by strept avidin-biotin complex （SABC）immunohistochemistry. Results No positive cells were observed in the normal rats′retinae, but there was a significant number of TUNEL positive cells in 6-24 hours after transient ischemia followed by a decrease at the 48th hour. The number of TUNEL positive cells reached a maximum at the 24th hour after ischemia. The expression of Fas gradually increased as early as when it was at the 6th hour, reached a peak at the 24th hour, and then decreased at the 48th hour. Similarly, the expression of Fas ligand was at peak in 24-48 hours in GCL and INL of retina. Conclusions Retinal ischemia-reperfusion after transient elevated IOP induced apoptosis of cells in the retina. Fas/FasL may play an important role in the early events of the apoptotic pathways. bFGF can rescue RGCs from retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury through downregulation of the expression of Fas/FasL and may represent an important mechanism for therapeutic neuroprotection. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：160-163)
