Abstract
Objective: Previous studies suggested that chemokines might induce neuron cell death in the central nervous system (CNS) through different signal pathways. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the retinal degenerative process of rd mice. Methods: Fifty C57RL/6N mice and 50 rd mice were raised in 12-hour light (56-67 lux) and 12-hour black environment alternately, and 50 C57BL/6N mice were raised at normal environment as controls. Expression of MCP-1 mRNA in the retina of rd mouse at postnatal day (P) 8, P10, P12, P14, P16 and P18 was detected by reverse transcription-polymersase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Location of MCP-1 mRNA and protein at peak time of expression was examined by in situ hybridization or immunohistochemical studies. Results: Expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein was noted in peri-nuclei regions in retinal inner nuclear layer and ganglion cell layer, exhibiting a brown or brown-yellow staining. The level of mRNA expression of MCP-1 was increased in the retinas of the rd mice at P8 and P12 compared with normal controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Expression of chemokine MCP-1 is elevated in retinal degeneration of rd mice, suggesting that MCP-1 may play a role in the photoreceptor degeneration of this animal model.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 14-17 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Chinese Ophthalmic Research |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - Jan 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1
- Rd mouse
- Retinal degeneration
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Sensory Systems
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience