经瞳孔温热疗法对急性高眼压大鼠视网膜神经节细胞的保护作用

目的研究低阈值经瞳孔温热疗法（TTT）对急性高眼压大鼠视网膜神经节细胞（RGC）是否具有保护作用。设计实验研究。研究对象BN大鼠。方法采用810nm二极管激光机对10只大鼠视网膜进行热刺激，照射光斑1．2mm，能量50mW，照射时间20s，干预后3d光镜下观察视网膜形态结构的改变，免疫组化方法检测HSP70、HSP27在视网膜组织表达。采用上述激光参数，照射视网膜后3d，制作急性高眼压模型（TTT＋I/R组，n=10），采用TUNEL法检测RGC层细胞凋亡数量，及计数高倍镜下RGC层细胞数，与未干预的急性高眼压模型组（I/R组，n=10）、单纯TTT干预组（TTT组）及正常对照组（n=6）进行比较。主要指标免疫组化染色RGC细胞数及RGC层细胞凋亡数。结果采用低阈值TTT可诱导BN大鼠视网膜神经节细胞HSP70及HSP27表达，且光镜下未出现明显视网膜脉络膜形态的改变。TTT＋I／R组RGC层细胞凋亡数量明显少于I／R组（P=0．048），且前者RGC层细胞数量明显多于后者（辟0．016）；TTT组与正常对照组比较RGC层细胞凋亡数量无显著性差异（P=0．882），但RGC层细胞数明显少于正常对照组（P=0．001）。结论低阈值TTT可诱导BN大鼠视网膜HSP70、HSP27表达，并在急性高眼压损伤下对大鼠RGC凋亡具有抑制作用。（眼科，2007,16：48—51）     

视网膜缺血再灌注后RGC凋亡分子机制研究进展

视网膜缺血再灌注(retinal ischemia reperfusion,RIR)损伤是常见的眼科疾病,主要表现为神经节细胞的凋亡,可造成视神经损害等严重的疾病,对患者的视觉功能和生活质量造成严重的影响。细胞凋亡是在基因控制下的自我消亡过程,受多种基因调控。我们结合文献,综述了不同基因在RIR后神经节细胞凋亡中的作用。     

Resveratrol prevents hypoxia-induced retinal ganglion cell death related with ErbB2

AIM: To confirm the changes in proteins related with hypoxia-induced retinal cell death and to assess the effects of resveratrol (Res).METHODS: The therapeutic effect of Res was verified using an ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) model in vivo and a hypoxia modelin retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in vitro. Death of RGCs were confirmed by TUNEL assay. Protein expression was confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. In addition, flow cytometric analysis was used to confirm the response in the cell unit to obtain more accurate data.RESULTS: ErbB2 expression and apoptosis in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) increased after I/R injury. Treatment of Res rescued I/R-induced ganglion cell death, downregulated apoptosis and ErbB2 protein expression in the retina. In subsequent in vitro models, Res affects apoptosis by regulating the phosphorylation and expression of mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2), along with those of ErbB2. These results suggest that Res reverses GCL-specific apoptosis via downregulation of ErbB2 in ischemic injury.CONCLUSION: In light of Res favorable properties, it should be evaluated in the treatment of RGC death and related retinal disease characterized by ErbB2 and MDM2 expression. Therefore, Res is appropriate therapeutic agent for treating ischemic injury-related eye diseases by targeting the expression of ErbB2 and MDM2.     

Mouse models of retinal ganglion cell death and glaucoma

Once considered too difficult to use for glaucoma studies, mice are now becoming a powerful tool in the research of the molecular and pathological events associated with this disease. Often adapting technologies first developed in rats, ganglion cell death in mice can be induced using acute models and chronic models of experimental glaucoma. Similarly, elevated IOP has been reported in transgenic animals carrying defects in targeted genes. Also, one group of mice, from the DBA/2 line of inbred animals, develops a spontaneous optic neuropathy with many features of human glaucoma that is associated with IOP elevation caused by an anterior chamber pigmentary disease. The advent of mice for glaucoma research is already having a significant impact on our understanding of this disease, principally because of the access to genetic manipulation technology and genetics already well established for these animals.     

Caspase inhibitors protect against NMDA-mediated retinal ganglion cell death

Background: Apoptosis is a major mechanism of cell death in glutamate‐induced excitotoxicity and caspases as the executors of apoptosis play an important role in the development of various central nervous system and eye diseases. We studied the involvement of certain caspases in excitotoxic retinal ganglion cell death, which was experimentally induced in Brown Norway Rats by application of the glutamate receptor agonist N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA). Methods: Animals were injected intravitreally with one of six caspase inhibitors (against caspases 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9). Seven hours later, NMDA or phosphate‐buffered saline as a control was injected intravitreally into the respective eyes. The neuroprotective potential against NMDA toxicity was assessed by retinal ganglion cell quantification. Additionally, wholemount TUNEL was performed. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant neuroprotective effects for the inhibitors of caspases 3, 6, 8 and 9, but not for those of caspases 1 and 4. The inhibitors of caspases 6 and 9 showed greater neuroprotective potential than those of caspases 3 and 8, although cell death was not entirely averted in any case. Results of ganglion cell counts were confirmed for the most pronounced treatment groups using wholemount TUNEL. Conclusion: Excitotoxic retinal ganglion cell death after NMDA injection is mediated mainly through apoptosis, whereby extrinsic as well as intrinsic pathways of caspase activation play a role.     

Retinal ganglion cell numbers and delayed retinal ganglion cell death in the P23H rat retina

The P23H-1 rat strain carries a rhodopsin mutation frequently found in retinitis pigmentosa patients. We investigated the progressive degeneration of the inner retina in this strain, focussing on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) fate. Our data show that photoreceptor death commences in the ventral retina, spreading to the whole retina as the rat ages. Quantification of the total number of RGCs identified by Fluorogold tracing and Brn3a expression, disclosed that the population of RGCs in young P23H rats is significantly smaller than in its homologous SD strain. In the mutant strain, there is also RGC loss with age: RGCs show their first symptoms of degeneration at P180, as revealed by an abnormal expression of cytoskeletal proteins which, at P365, translates into a significant loss of RGCs, that may ultimately be caused by displaced inner retinal vessels that drag and strangulate their axons. RGC axonal compression begins also in the ventral retina and spreads from there causing RGC loss through the whole retinal surface. These decaying processes are common to several models of photoreceptor loss, but show some differences between inherited and light-induced photoreceptor degeneration and should therefore be studied to a better understanding of photoreceptor degeneration and when developing therapies for these diseases.     

Neuroprotective effects of prostaglandin analogues on retinal ganglion cell death independent of intraocular pressure reduction

Prostaglandin (PG) analogues may have an additional effect to protect neurons independent of IOP reduction. Only a few reports indicated that some PG analogues had neuroprotective effects or increased blood flow in in vivo and in vitro models. However, there is no comparative study using all clinically available PG analogues and also using primary culture of retinal ganglion cell (RGC). Our purpose of study is to investigate the direct neuroprotective effect of PG analogues on glutamate- and hypoxia-induced RGC death using rat purified primary RGC culture with latanoprost acid, travoprost acid, bimatoprost acid, bimatoprost, tafluprost acid, unoprostone, and PGF2α. Purified RGCs cultures were obtained from retinas of 6 days old Wistar rats, following a two-step immuno-panning procedure. After 72 h of cultivation, the neuroprotective effect of PG analogues (1 nM, 10 nM and 100 nM) was investigated by culturing the RGCs in 25 μM glutamate for a further 72 h or 5% O2 hypoxic condition for 24 h. The RGC viability under each condition normalized to that under normal condition without stress was evaluated as live cell percentage based on a total of 15 repeated experiments. As a result, 100 nM of latanoprost acid, tafluprost acid, bimatoprost acid, and bimatoprost significantly increased RGC survival rate by suppressing apoptosis. PG analogues indicated IOP independent neuroprotective effect on glutamate- or hypoxia-induced RGC death using rat primary RGC culture at clinically available intracameral concentration. Since those profiles were different from clinical efficacy in IOP reduction, the mechanism of neuroprotection may be not related to FP receptor stimulation.     

干细胞移植在视网膜神经节细胞损伤修复中的应用

进行性视网膜神经节细胞损伤在一些致盲性眼病中屡见不鲜。目前临床上缺乏有效的损伤修复方法,然而最近研究显示干细胞移植为受损视网膜神经节细胞的保护和替代治疗提供了新思路。本文将就干细胞移植为基础的研究进展进行综述。     

糖尿病视网膜神经节细胞损伤的研究进展

糖尿病性视网膜病变( diabetic retinopathy,DR)是糖尿病严重并发症之一,可对患者造成严重视功能损害。在视网膜出现微血管病变之前,已经出现视网膜神经节细胞(retinal ganglion cell, RGC)的病变。神经细胞的病理改变是糖尿病早期视功能障碍的重要因素。 RGC的损伤机制可能与高血糖代谢紊乱、氧化应激损伤、神经营养因子缺乏以及谷氨酸兴奋毒性有关。许多实验研究发现神经元保护药物能减少RGC凋亡,一些关于有效性和安全性的临床研究为临床治疗糖尿病视网膜神经细胞病变奠定重要基础。     

Experimental detection of retinal ganglion cell damage in vivo

In vivo detection of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage should have experimental and clinical relevance. A number of experimental models have been recently described to visualize RGCs in vivo. With retrograde injection of fluorescent tracers into the superior colliculus, lateral geniculate body, or optic nerve, RGCs can be detected in vivo with confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, or confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. Although the resolution of these imaging techniques is limited to detecting only the cell bodies, the addition of adaptive optics has allowed in vivo visualization of axonal and dendritic processes. An ideal experimental model for detection of RGC damage should be non-invasive and reproducible. The introduction of a strain of transgenic mice that express fluorescent proteins under the control of Thy-1 promoter sequence has offered a non-invasive approach to detect RGCs. Long- term serial monitoring of RGCs over a year has been shown possible with this technique. In vivo imaging of RGCs could provide crucial information to investigating the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and evaluating the treatment response of neuroprotective agents.     

藏红花素对视网膜缺血再灌注损伤小鼠视网膜神经节细胞的保护作用及其机制研究

目的　研究藏红花素对视网膜缺血再灌注损伤（RIRI）小鼠视网膜神经节细胞（RGC）的保护作用及其机制。方法　将144只C57BL/6小鼠随机分为3组:假手术组、模型组、藏红花素治疗组。模型组和藏红花素治疗组小鼠建立RIRI模型,藏红花素治疗组小鼠造模前30 min腹腔注射50 mg·kg^-1藏红花素。RIRI后14 d,视网膜铺片染色比较各组小鼠RGC密度差异。RIRI后24 h,HE染色比较各组小鼠视网膜内层厚度差异。于RIRI后不同时间点（0 h、3 h、6 h、9 h、12 h、15 h）取各组小鼠视网膜组织,通过多重基因定量分析系统检测NLRP3、ASC、Caspase-1、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β） mRNA的表达变化。RIRI后6 h和12 h取各组小鼠视网膜组织,Western blot检测NLRP3、ASC、Caspase-1、IL-1β蛋白的表达,ELISA检测IL-1β蛋白的含量,并对比分析。结果　小鼠RIRI后14 d,视网膜铺片染色结果显示,藏红花素治疗组较模型组小鼠RGC密度增加约18.5%（P<0.05）。RIRI后24 h,HE染色结果显示,藏红花素治疗组小鼠视网膜内层厚度较模型组显著降低（P<0.01）。多重定量分析系统检测结果显示,RIRI后6 h、9 h及12 h,藏红花素治疗组小鼠视网膜组织中Caspase-1以及IL-1β mRNA表达较模型组均显著降低（均为P<0.05)。Western blot检测结果显示,藏红花素治疗组小鼠视网膜组织中Caspase-1以及IL-1β蛋白表达较模型组均显著降低（均为P<0.05)。RIRI后6 h、12 h,模型组小鼠视网膜组织中NLRP3、ASC mRNA和蛋白表达与假手术组相比无显著变化（均为P>0.05)。ELISA检测结果进一步证实,RIRI后6 h和12 h,藏红花素治疗组小鼠视网膜组织中IL-1β蛋白含量较模型组均显著降低（均为P<0.05)。结论　藏红花素通过抑制Caspase-1和IL-1β表达保护RIRI小鼠RGC。     

Effect of MCI-9042, a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist,on retinal ganglion cell death and retinal ischemia

The neuroprotective effect of MCI-9042 (Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation) was investigated on glutamate-induced retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in vitro and on rat retinal ischemia in vivo. RGCs were purified from retinal cells isolated from 6-day-old Wistar rats and cultured in serum-free media. After application of 25 microM glutamate, the viability of RGCs treated with or without several serotonin 2 (5-HT(2)) receptor antagonists: MCI-9042, M-1 (a major metabolite of MCI-9042), ketanserin, and LY-53857; was evaluated by calcein-acetoxymethyl ester staining. Retinal ischemia was induced by intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation (130 mmHg, 50 min). Rats were intraperitoneally injected with MCI-9042 at a dose of 3, 30 mg/kg or base at 30 min before and just after ischemia-reperfusion. Retinal damages were evaluated by histology, morphometric analysis and electroretinograms (ERGs) recordings at 7 days after ischemia-reperfusion. 25 microM glutamate decreased the number of viable RGCs to about 60 to 65% of untreated RGCs. MCI-9042, M-1, ketanserin, and LY-53857 significantly reduced glutamate-induced RGC death at concentrations of more than 100 nM, 1 nM, 1 microM and 100 nM, respectively. Ischemia-reperfusion caused thinning of the thickness between the inner plexiform layer and the outer plexiform layer and attenuation of a-and b-waves in ERG recordings. The intraperitoneal injection of MCI-9042 significantly reduced morphological and functional damages in retinal ischemia. Our data demonstrate that 5-HT(2) receptor antagonists including MCI-9042 and M-1 have the neuroprotective effects in cultured RGCs and that MCI-9042 protects against ischemic retinal diseases.     

The emerging role of proteases in retinal ganglion cell death

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death is an important issue in Primary Open Angle-Glaucoma (POAG) in terms of both vision loss and health care costs. Yet, the pathophysiology underlying RGC death in glaucoma is unclear. A growing body of evidence indicates that proteases that modulate the extracellular matrix (ECM) milieu in the retina, either directly or indirectly, play an important role in dictating the fate of RGCs. Recent evidence indicates that proteases, in addition to ECM-remodeling, have broader functional roles in glutamate receptor processing and predisposing RGCs to secondary damage. This review is focused on discussing the role of two groups of proteases, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the plasminogen activators (PAs), in RGC death. In a long-run, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of proteases may lead to the development of adjunctive treatment options to attenuate RGC death and improve vision loss in glaucoma.     

米诺环素对视网膜神经节细胞保护作用的研究进展

视网膜神经节细胞作为中枢神经系统的一部分,是青光眼和视网膜疾病的主要受损细胞。米诺环素是一种半合成的四环素类衍生物,除广谱抗菌功效外,还具有抗氧化、抗凋亡和抑制小胶质细胞活化的作用,对神经元具有一定的保护作用。研究证明米诺环素对视网膜神经节细胞也具有保护作用,在视神经外伤、青光眼和多种视网膜疾病的研究中均显示了不同程度的效果。本文就米诺环素对视网膜神经节细胞的神经保护作用及其作用机制作一综述。     

N-甲基-D-天门冬氨酸对大鼠视网膜神经节细胞层神经元的损伤作用

目的 探讨N—甲基—D—天冬氨酸(NMDA)对大鼠视网膜神经节细胞层(RGCL)神经元的毒性作用。方法 通过大鼠玻璃体内注入不同浓度的NMDA，观察注射前后不同时间视网膜神经节细胞层的神经元计数。结果 大鼠RGCL神经元计数随NMDA浓度增加及时间延长而逐渐减少。其中以大神经元对NMDA兴奋毒性最敏感。结论 NMDA可导致RGCL神经元损伤，并显示以大神经元最先受损，即与青光跟性视神经损伤相似，此模型可应用于研究青光跟性视神经损伤机制。     

Phenytoin blocks retinal ganglion cell death after partial optic nerve crush

Phenytoin is a well-characterized sodium channel blocker in widespread use as an anticonvulsant. In 1972, Becker and co-workers reported that phenytoin could reverse visual field loss from glaucoma. The authors therefore explored whether phenytoin could protect retinal ganglion cells from optic nerve crush. The optic nerve of Long-Evans rats was partially crushed; animals were given a single dose of either intraperitoneal phenytoin or vehicle. A third group underwent sham optic nerve crush. In a second set of experiments, the effect of phenytoin was compared to the N -methyl- D -receptor antagonist, memantine. Retinal ganglion survival was evaluated 1 week later. In addition, the effect of memantine and phenytoin on glutamate-induced intracellular calcium fluxes was evaluated.Phenytoin and memantine significantly reduced ganglion cell loss after optic nerve crush, and blunted the rise in intracellular calcium seen after administration of glutamate. Co-administration of the two agents, however, did not increase ganglion cell survival, and had no effect on ganglion cell calcium fluxes. Phenytoin can preserve retinal ganglion cells after partial optic nerve crush. This effect was not additive with a glutamate antagonist, suggesting that both agents alone are equally protective at saving the same population of ganglion cells at risk. In fact, the neuroprotective effect of the combined administration of phenytoin and memantine was significantly less than either of the two drugs alone. Phenytoin is known to decrease neuronal firing and neurotransmitter release; this may underlie its ability to serve as a neuro-protectant in this experimental paradigm.     

Apoptotic retinal ganglion cell death in the DBA/2 mouse model of glaucoma

The DBA/2 mouse has been used as a model for spontaneous secondary glaucoma. We attempted to determine the in vivo time course and spatial distribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) undergoing apoptotic death in DBA/2 mice. Female DBA/2 mice, 3, 9-10, 12, 15, and 18 months of age, received intravitreal injections of Annexin-V conjugated to AlexaFluor 1h prior to euthanasia. Retinas were fixed and flat-mounted. Annexin-V-positive RGCs in the hemiretina opposite the site of injection were counted, and their locations were recorded. Positive controls for detection of apoptotic RGCs by Annexin-V labeling included rats subjected to optic nerve ligation, and C57BL/6 mice subjected to either optic nerve ligation or intravitreal injection of NMDA. To verify that Annexin-V-labeled cells were RGCs, intravitreal Annexin-V injections were also performed on retinas pre-labeled retrogradely with FluoroGold or with DiI. Annexin-V-positive RGC locations were analyzed to determine possible clustering and areas of preferential loss. Annexin-V labeled apoptotic RGCs in eyes after optic nerve ligation, intravitreal NMDA injection, as well as in aged DBA/2 animals. In glaucomatous DBA/2 mice 95-100% of cells labeled with Annexin-V were also FluoroGold- and DiI-positive. This confirms that Annexin-V can be used to specifically detect apoptotic RGCs in rodent retinas. In DBA/2 mice, apoptotic RGC death is maximal from the 12th to the 15th month of age (ANOVA, p<0.001, Fisher's post hoc test) and occurs in clusters. These clusters are initially located in the midperipheral retina and progressively occur closer to the optic nerve head with increasing age. Retrograde axonal transport of FluoroGold in the glaucomatous mouse retina is functional until at least 2-3days prior to initiation of apoptotic RGC death.     

转基因视网膜神经节细胞系RGC-5的研究进展

为研究青光眼性视网膜神经节细胞（RGCs）损害的细胞和分子机制，多种细胞培养模型已经建立，但是转基因的视网膜神经节细胞RGC-5细胞系在国内未见报道。RGC-5细胞系是应用鼠视网膜细胞通过转染技术建立的，除了其形态和电生理特性与RGCs有所不同外，细胞的生长条件以及细胞膜或者细胞内表达的物质与RGCs一致。应用RGC-5细胞系已经建立了多种凋亡模型，研究发现这些模型的细胞在凋亡时的基因变化以及对神经保护剂的反应都与RGCs一致。因此加强对RGC-5的研究和应用，对进一步阐明RGCs的损伤和保护机制将非常有意义。现就这个细胞系的建立及已做的相关研究做一综述。     

NgR在糖皮质激素诱导视网膜神经节细胞凋亡中的作用

目的:探讨糖皮质激素对视网膜神经节细胞(retinal ganglion cell,RGC)凋亡的影响及机制.方法:分4组培养RGC,即(1)对照组,(2)激素组(0.1 μmol/L可的松),(3)激素-siNgR组(0.1μmol/L可的松+NgR反义核苷酸病毒),(4)激素-scRNA对照组(0.1μmol/L可的松+阴性核苷酸病毒).3d后四甲基噻唑蓝(Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide,MTT)检测细胞活力变化,倒置显微镜观察细胞形态学变化,Hoechst 33342染色检测细胞凋亡,Western blot检测Nogo受体(Nogo receptor,NgR)表达.结果:对照组、激素组、激素-scRNA组及激素-siNgR组细胞活力分别为(100.0±0.0)％,(76.3±6.8)％,(79.4±9.0)％及(96.7±9.8)％,与对照组相比,激素组及激素-scRNA组细胞活力明显降低,细胞密度降低,体积缩小,NgR表达增加(P＜0.01),而激素-siNgR组无明显变化(P＞0.05).Hoechst 33342染色显示,对照组及激素-siNgR组细胞淡蓝色,激素组及激素-scRNA组可见大量呈亮蓝色的凋亡细胞.结论:糖皮质激素能通过NgR表达增加诱导RGC凋亡.