Objective To observe the oxidative damage of mtDNA, apoptosis and expression of adhesion molecules in retinal capillary cells of diabetic rat with different disease courses. Methods One hundred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group. The rats of experimental group were induced with streptozotocin (STZ) injection creating a diabetic model. Then they were divided into DR1m, DR2m DR3m group according to disease courses. The rats of control group were divided into NR1m, NR2m, NR3m group. Rat retinal capillaries were prepared, and then the contents of undamaged mtDNA were examined by Southern blot combined with Fpg. The expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 encoded by mtDNA and transcription factors A (mtTFA) mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Apoptosis and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were detected by terminal dUT nick endlabeling (TUNEL) immuno-fluorescence and immunohistochemistry respectively. Results The contents of undamaged mtDNA in rats of DR1m, DR2m, DR3m were less than those of NR1m、NR2m、NR3m. The contents of undamaged mtDNA in diabetic rats decreased with the increase of disease courses. In addition, the mRNA levels of COX-1 and mtTFA were downregulated in diabetic rats. The positive cells of TUNEL and ICAM-1TUNEL and ICAM-1 in diabetic rats increased with the increase of disease courses. Conclusion With the increase of disease courses, mtDNA damage and apoptotic cells are increased, while the expression of mRNA encoded by mtDNA and ICAM-1 decreased in retinal capillary cells in diabetic rats.
Objective To investigate the major types and clinical manifestations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)mutations in Chinese patients with Leber′s hereditary optic neuropathy(LHON). Methods A total of 119 patients with bilateral optic neuropathy from 117 pedigrees, including 37 with determinate diagnosis of LHON(group A) and 82 with suspected LHON(group B),were tested for mtDNA mutations by using single-strand conformational polymorphism, mutation-specific primer polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Pertinent clinical data and history of the patients with the 11778 mutation were collected. Results Nucleotide positions(np)11778 mutation and np 14484 mutation was found in 33 (89.2%) and 3 (8.1%) patients respectively in group A, while np 11778 mutation was obtained in 26（31.7%）in group B. No 3460 mutation was found in group A or B. The clinical manifestations of 59 patients with np 11778 mutation were as follows: acute or chronic visual loss，no ophthalmalgia, the age of onset of 10-25, and either a central or paracentral scotoma in perimetry. The visual recovery rate was 8.6%～11.6%. Conclusion Chinese patients with LHON have a very high incidence of np 11778 mutation and the clinical manifestations of the patients with np 11778 mutation are similar to those of Caucasian patients. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：78-80)
Objective To investigate the spectrum of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in Chinese patients with Leber′s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Methods The primary mtDNA mutations (G3460A、G11778A and T14484 C) of 140 patients with LHON were detected by mutation-specific priming polymerase chain reaction (MSP-PCR), heteroduplex-single strand conformation polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (HA-SSCP), restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and measurement of DNA sequence. The transmissibility of the patients′ stirps was analyzed.Results In the 140 patients with LHON, G11778A mtDNA primary mutation was found in 130 (92.9%), including 113 males and 17 females; G3460A mutation was found in 2 (1.4%) including 1 male and 1 female; G14484A mutation was found in 8 (5.7% ) including 6 males and 2 females.Conclusion In Chinese patients with LHON, the incidence of G11778A mtDNA mutation is higher than that of G3460A and T14484C. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：269-332)
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical features of patients over 30 years old with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). MethodsNine male LHON patients (18 eyes) were enrolled in this study. The patients aged from 34 to 56 years old, with an average age of (45.22±6.91) years. The course of the disease ranged from 7 days to 21 months, with a mean course of 5 months. Visual acuity, slit lamp microscope, chromoptometry, direct ophthalmoscope and fundus photography were measured for all patients, visual field examined for 6 patients (11 eyes). Mitochondrial DNA mutation was analyzed. The visual acuity was followed-up for 12 months. ResultsSeven of the 9 patients (77.78%) had family history. Five patients (55.56%) had both eyes involved simultaneously, and 4 patients (44.44%) had the eyes involved at different time. Three patients (33.33%) had sudden visual loss, and 6 patients (66.67%) had gradual visual loss. The visual acuity was light perception in 1 eye (5.55%), finger counting in 3 eyes (16.67%), 0.01-0.1 in 7 eyes (38.89%), 0.12-0.3 in 3 eyes (16.67%), equal or greater than 0.4 in 4 eyes (22.22%). Sixteen eyes (88.88%) had normal light reflex, 1 eye (5.55%) had no light reflex, and 1 eye (5.55%) had relative afferent papillary defect. Eight eyes (44.44%) had normal optic disk, 3 eyes (16.67%) had blurred optic disc border and disc telangiectasia, 7 eyes (38.89%) had pale disc and clear boundary. Among 11 eyes underwent visual field examination, 9 eyes (81.82%) had central or paracentral scotoma and 2 eyes (18.18%) had visual field narrowing. Among 9 patients, there were 7 patients (77.78%) with G11778A mutation, 1 patient (11.11%) with G11696A mutation, and 1 patient (11.11%) with T14484C mutation. In the last follow-up, the visual acuity was light perception in 1 eye (5.55%), finger counting in 4 eyes (22.22%), 0.01-0.1 in 6 eyes (33.33%), 0.12-0.3 in 3 eyes (16.67%), equal or greater than 0.4 in 4 eyes (22.22%).The visual acuity was improved in 9 eyes (50.00%), stable in 7 eyes(38.89%), and decreased in 2 eyes (11.11%). ConclusionLHON patients (older than 30 years) are more common in men, mostly with normal light reflex, central or paracentral scotoma and G11778A mutation.
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a blinding disease caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA. It is a classic disease model for studying mitochondrial abnormalities. Its main mutation sites are m11778G.A, m.3460G.A and m.14484T.C. LHON cell models are mainly produced by lymphoblasts, fibroblasts, cell hybrids and induced pluripotent stem cells, while LHON animal models are mainly mice, which are produced by rotenone and ND4 mutants. Although the research on the LHON model has achieved good results, there are still many difficulties in constructing an ideal experimental model, which severely limit the exploring to the pathogenesis and therapeutic drugs of LHON. A detailed understanding of the application and characteristics of existing models in LHON will help improve experimental design and construct new models.