Mueller cell response during degenerative retinopathy in mice

• Published in: Acta ophthalmologica (Oxford, England) Vol. 91
• Main Authors: Mendes-Jorge, L, Valenca, A, PIRES, VMR, CATITA, J, Ramos, D, LOPEZ-LUPPO, M, Nacher, V, Navarro, M, Carretero, A, Rodriguez-Baeza, A, RUBERTE, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.2013
• Subjects: Animal models
• ISSN: 1755-375X; 1755-3768
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2013.T012.x

Purpose Structural retinal alterations were evaluated in a murine model of retinopathy with photoreceptor degeneration, in order to establish response patterns for each stage of the inflammatory process. Methods In this work, a murine model of retinopathy with photoreceptor degeneration was studied. Groups of 4 animals were intraperitoneally injected with 100 mg/Kg of sodium iodate, and euthanized 24, 48 and 72 hours after injection. A non-injected animal was used as a control in each group. The retinas were analyzed by means of histological techniques, immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting and q-RT-PCR. Results In the retina, aggressive stimuli are known to induce reactive gliose. In our murine model of retinopathy, Mueller cell activation was accompanied by cell proliferation and glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) over-expression with maximum values 48h after injection. Conclusion The differences in GFAP expression allowed us to establish expression patterns of this protein which may be used to identify the phase of the inflammatory response in progress.