N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA)-induced Apoptosis in Rabbit Retina.
10.3341/jkos.2008.49.7.1146
- Author:
Yong Wook PARK
1
;
Sun Hwa CHAE
;
Ji Woong LEE
;
Oh Ju KWON
;
Jae Pil SHIN
;
Chang Jin JEON
;
Si Yeol KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Kyungpook National University, College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. jpshin@hitel.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Apoptosis;
Bax;
Bcl-2;
Caspase-3;
NMDA
- MeSH:
Apoptosis;
Caspase 3;
Cell Death;
Cinnarizine;
Coloring Agents;
Eye;
Ganglion Cysts;
In Situ Nick-End Labeling;
Intravitreal Injections;
N-Methylaspartate;
Retina
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2008;49(7):1146-1153
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To evaluate the involvement of apoptosis in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced excitotoxicity in the rabbit retina. METHODS: After intravitreal injection of 680 and 2,000 nmoles of NMDA in rabbit eyes, the eyes were enucleated at 2, 16, and 60 hours and 1 and 2 weeks. The apoptotic cell death was determined with TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) stain, and immunohistochemical stains of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 were performed. RESULTS: TUNEL showed increased labeling scattered in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer from 16 to 60 hours. The number of TUNEL-positive nuclei decreased at 60 hours, and none was observed at 2 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks. More TUNEL-positive nuclei were seen with injection of 2,000 nmoles compared to 680 nmoles. Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 were seen histologically as early as 2 hours in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer; there was no stained nuclei with the TUNEL stain. At 2 hours after intravitreal NMDA injection, Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 were also stained in Muller cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that apoptosis is involved in NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in the rabbit retina. Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 may play important roles in modulating the apoptosis in NMDA-induced excitotoxicity, and Muller cells are involved in the apoptotic pathway.
