RCS大鼠感光细胞凋亡与 Fas蛋白表达

为了探讨遗传性视网膜变性时感光细胞凋亡及其基因调控机制 ,本研究对出生后 9、15、2 0、2 5、3 0、3 5、40、60 d的 RCS大鼠及同龄 SD大鼠各 4只的视网膜进行了 TU NEL 凋亡检测及 Fas蛋白免疫组织化学反应。结果表明 ,出生后 2 5～ 40 d,RCS大鼠视网膜外核层可见 TUNEL阳性的感光细胞核 ,TUNEL阳性细胞数到 3 5 d达高峰 ( P<0 .0 5 )。Fas蛋白免疫组织化学检测发现 ,RCS大鼠视网膜内核层在 15～ 40 d可见 Fas免疫阳性细胞 ,阳性细胞数以 2 5 d为最多 ( P<0 .0 5 ) ;外核层在 2 5 d也可见Fas蛋白免疫阳性反应 ,一直持续到 40 d;节细胞层在 15～ 40 d可见 Fas蛋白表达。到 60 d时则各层又都不见明显的 Fas蛋白阳性反应。本研究结果提示 ,在 RCS大鼠视网膜变性过程中 ,感光细胞发生凋亡 ,Fas蛋白高表达可能与感光细胞的凋亡有关

PHOTORECEPTOR APOPTOSIS AND FAS EXPRESSION OF RCS RATS

In order to investigate photoreceptor (PRC) apoptosis and gene regulation in hereditary retinal degeneration of Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) rats, the retinal sections of RCS and SD rats at different ages were examined by TUNEL and Fas protein immunohistochemical method. The results showed that the nuclei of PRC in RCS rats were stained positively by TUNEL from 25 to 40 days, the positively labeled nuclei could be detected only in the outer nuclear layer, and reached the highest level at 35 days of age ( P<0.05). The positive staining of Fas protein could be seen in the inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell layer of RCS rats from 15 to 40 days of age, showing the most in the inner nuclear layer at 25 days of age (P<0.05). The positive staining could be seen in the outer nuclear layer at 25,30, 35 and 40 days of age. The results suggest that PRC died in hereditary retinal degeneration of RCS rats through apoptosis, and apoptosis of PRC in RCS rats might be Fas dependent.