Upregulation of CREM-1 Relates to Retinal Ganglion Cells Apoptosis After Light-Induced Damage In Vivo

• DOI: 10.1007/s12031-013-0153-y
• Publication Date: 2013-10-29T01:14:20Z
• Authors: Yue Xu; Shanshan Yu; Qinmeng Shu; Lu Yang; Cheng Yang; Jiawei Wang; Fan Xu; Min Ji; Xiaoling Liang
• Keywords: Male; Retinal Ganglion Cells; 0301 basic medicine; Light; Apoptosis; Rats; Up-Regulation; Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins

Previous studies have shown activation of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) family is involved in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) protection. However, the function of cyclic AMP response element modulator-1 (CREM-1), one member of the CREB family, is still with limited acquaintance. To investigate whether CREM-1 is involved in RGCs death, we performed a light-induced retinal damage model in adult rats. Upregulation of CREM-1 was observed in retina after light-induced damage by performing western blot. Immunofluorescent labeling indicated that upregulated CREM-1 was localized mainly in the RGCs. We also investigated co-localization of CREM-1 with active-caspase-3 and TUNEL (apoptotic markers) in the retina after light-induced damage. In addition, the expression patterns of B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 and Bcl-2 associated X protein were parallel with that of CREM-1. Collectively, we hypothesized upregulation of CREM-1 in the retina was associated with RGCs death after light-induced damage.