Objective To investigate the effect of hypoxia on expressions of erythropoietin（EPO）mRNA and protein in retinal M uuml;ller cells cultured in vitro. Methods Retina tissues from the new-born Wistar rats were dissected into cell suspension after digested by pancreatin.M uuml;ller cells were separated and purified by mechanical concussion and blowing and striking method.The expression of EPO mRNA and protein under the condition of hypoxia was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase（RT）-polymerase chain reaction（PCR）and immunocytochemical method. Results Retinal M uuml;ller cells were cultured successfully，95% of which were positively stained by glial fibrillary acidic protein（GFAP）.Positively stained EPO protein was located in the cytoplasm and protuberance.The expression of EPO mRNA and protein was faint in the normal retinal M uuml;ller cells，but increased obviously and time-dependently after hypoxia. Conclusion Expression of EPO mRNA and protein increases in M uuml;ller cells after hypoxia，which may be one of the protective factors for the nerves in anoxic retinopathy. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 196-199)

Citation： LIU Fuling,NIU Yingjun,ZHOU Zhanyu,et al. Effect of hypoxia on expression of erythropoietin mRNA and protein in retinal Müller cells. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases, 2006, 22(3): 196-199. doi: Copy