Vasoregression Linked to Neuronal Damage in the Rat with Defect of Polycystin-2

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007328
• Publication Date: 2009-10-05T22:24:34Z
• Authors: Yuxi Feng; Yumei Wang; Oliver Stock; Frederick Pfister; Naoyuki Tanimoto; Mathias W. Seeliger; Jan-Luuk Hillebrands; Sigrid Hoffmann; Hartwig Wolburg; Norbert Gretz; Hans-Peter Hammes
• Keywords: Immunofluorescence

Neuronal damage is correlated with vascular dysfunction in the diseased retina, but underlying mechanisms remain controversial because of lack suitable models which vasoregression related to neuronal initiates mature retinal vasculature. The aim this study was assess temporal link between and patency a transgenic rat (TGR) overexpression mutant cilia gene polycystin-2.Vasoregression, neuroglial changes expression neurotrophic factors were assessed TGR control rats time course. Determination performed by quantitative morphometry paraffin-embedded vertical sections. Vascular cell composition digest preparations. Glial activation western blot immunofluorescence. Expression detected PCR.At one month, number thickness outer nuclear layers (ONL) reduced 31% (p<0.001) 17% (p<0.05), respectively, compared age-matched rats. Furthermore, reduction progressed from 1 7 months Apoptosis selectively photoreceptor ONL, starting after month. Nevertheless, showed normal responses electroretinogram at From second month onwards, retinas had significantly increased acellular capillaries (p<0.001), endothelial cells (p<0.01) pericytes (p<0.01). Upregulation GFAP first glial cells, parallel an increase FGF2 (fourfold) CNTF (60 %), followed upregulation NGF (40 %) 3 months.Our data suggest that appropriate animal model for damage. Similarities experimental diabetic retinopathy render understand general maturity-onset vasoregression.