Objective To observe the expression of cyclin dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) and p25 in the pathogenesis of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) rats and its relationships with apoptosis. To explore the mechanism of Cdk5 and p25 induced photoreceptor apoptosis in the pathogenesis of RP. Methods Retinas of RCS and RCS-rdy+ rats were obtained at the ages of postnatal day 17, 25, 35, 60. The retinal structure and thickness of outer nuclear layer were measured by optical microscopy. The expression of Cdk5, p25, cleave-caspase 3 in the retina was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression of cleave-caspase 3 in the retina was determined by Western blot. The apoptosis of retinal cells was examined by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). The mean absorbance value of apoptotic cells was analyzed by SPSS 17.0 software. Results The retinal thickness of the RCS rats was significantly reduced in comparison to the RCS-rdy+ rats as the postnatal days progressed, particularly in the layer of rods and cones and the outer nuclear layer. The expression level of Cdk5, p25, cleave-caspase 3 of RCS rats increased from postnatal 17 days to postnatal 35 days, while decreased on postnatal 60 days; but there was no obvious change of above indexes in RCS-rdy+ rats. The protein expression of cleave-caspase 3 in the RCS rats was significantly increased with progression of postnatal days to postnatal 35; but there was no obvious similar change in RCS-rdy+ rats. The results of TUNEL showed that the apoptotic cells significantly increased in the outer nuclear layer of RCS rats from postnatal 17 days to postnatal 35 days, while decreased on postnatal 60 days; but there was no obvious change of above index in RCS-rdy+ rats. This study showed that there were significant correlations between the following variables: Cdk5 expression and p25 expression, Cdk5 expression and cleave-caspase 3 expression, Cdk5 expression and apoptotic cells, p25 expression and cleave-caspase 3 expression, p25 expression and apoptotic cells, cleave-caspase 3 expression and apoptotic cells. The partial correlation coefficients were 0.949, 0.808, 0.959, 0.887, 0.979, 0.852, respectively and the P value was 0.000. Conclusions The apoptotic cells significantly increases and the expression level of Cdk5, p25, cleave-caspase 3 of RCS rats increases from postnatal 17 days to postnatal 35 days. The tendency of apoptotic cells to increase is consistent with the change of Cdk5, p25, cleave-caspase 3 expression. The apoptosis of photoreceptor cells is related to increasing expression of Cdk5 and p25 in RCS rats. Cdk5 may be involved in the development of RP in RCS rats.
Objective To observe the characteristics of fundus autofluorescence (AF) in short wavelength AF (SW-AF) and Near Infrared AF (NIR-AF), and their relationship with visual fields. Methods Twelve patients (24 eyes) with primary RP were enrolled in this study. The patients included nine males (18 eyes) and three females (six eyes). The patients aged from 15 to 69 years, with a mean age of (35.33plusmn;15.03) years. All the patients were examined for color photography, SW-AF, NIR-AF, visual fields and optical coherence tomography examination. Results There were hyper-AF ring of varying sizes in posterior pole by SW-AF and NIR-AF examinations. The area of hypo-AF which located in SW-AF hyper-AF ring had a positive correlation with the area of hyper-AF in the NIR-AF (r=0.662，P＜0.05). OCT showed that outside the hyper-AF ring, there were disconnected inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction and external limiting membrane, and thinned outer nuclear layer and retinal pigment epithelium. Peripheral retinal osteocytes-like pigmentation showed non fluorescence in SW-AF and NIR-AF. The plaque-like area showed mottled and low fluorescence examined by SW-AF. SW-AF hyper-AF ring had a positive correlation with visual fields (r=0.492，P＜0.05). Conclusions The area of hypo-AF inside of the SW-AF hyper-AF ring is related to visual fields in RP patients. The retinal structures in the hypo-AF area inside of the SW-AF hyper-AF ring, and in the NIR-AF hyper-AF region are normal.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of gene transfection into retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and photoreceptors (PRs) in vivo electroporation. Methods A total of 147 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 V group according to different voltage. The right eyes of rats underwent the injection of eukaryotic expressive plasmid of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) pEGFP-N1 into subretinal space as experimental eyes; the left eyes were injected with TE buffer as control eyes. Each group was divided into RPE and RP subgroups according to different transfection direction. There were same parameters of 99 ms pulse width, 0.5 s pulse interval and 5 consecutive pulses except different voltage in groups. With a negative charge in the electric field was transfected into RPE cell layer, reverse electrode set to be transfected into PR cell layer. Retina mounts were made on seven days after transfection and the fluorescence of EGFP was photographed by fluorescent microscope. The expression of EGFP mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique (RT-PCR) and Western blot.Results On seven days after transfection, in RPE subgroups, there were no specific fluorescence expressions in RPE cell layer and retina mounts of control eyes, while there were fluorescence expressions in experimental eyes. Western blot showed that the grayscale ratio of EGFP protein and beta;actin protein bands rose with the increased voltage. RT-PCR showed that each group produced positive amplification bands, and the relative ratio of gray level of EGFP mRNA and GADPH mRNA amplified bands gradually increased with the increased voltage.Conclusion Electroporation is an effective method for gene delivery into RPE cells in vivo.
Objective To investigate the characteristics of fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) of IRVAN (idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis) syndrome and Eales disease. Methods The fundus photography and FFA data of 4 cases (8 eyes) with IRVAN syndrome and 43 cases (68 eyes) with Eales disease were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received ophthalmic routine examinations, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp microscope and indirect ophthalmoscope. All patients had taken fundus photography and FFA for both eyes, except 4 patients of Eales disease who had vitreous hemorrhage in one eye. All 4 cases(1 male/3 female )with IRVAN syndrome were bilateral and aged 1643 years old( mean age 2700plusmn;1293 years old). 43 cases (32 male/11 female) of Eales disease aged 6-59 years old( mean 30.79plusmn;11.46 years old), 29 cases were bilateral and 14 cases were unilateral. Both diseases had retinal vascular whitesheath or white threadlike changes, exudative retinal hemorrhage and vitreous hemorrhage. Results Both arteries and veins of posterior pole of all eyes with IRVAN syndrome were involved and shown multiple retinal macroaneurysms. Other signs of IRVAN syndrome included capillary occlusion and nonperfusion (7/8 eyes, 87.5%),fluorescein leakage and edema of optic disc (5/8 eyes,62.5%), optic atrophy(2/8 eyes,25%), vitreous hemorrhage(1/8 eyes,12.5%), neovascularization of optic disc(2/8 eyes,25%), retinal neovascularization(4/8 eyes,50%) and macular edema(4/8 eyes,50%). The signs of Eales disease included fluorescein leakage of peripheral retinal vein (68/68 eyes, 100%), fluorescein leakage of posterior retinal vein (32/68 eyes, 47.06%), artery involvement (5/68 eyes, 7.35%), peripheral capillary occlusion and nonperfusion (38/68 eyes, 55.88%), fluorescein leakage of optic disc(29/68 eyes, 42.65%), neovascularization of optic disc(4/68 eyes,5.88%), retinal neovascularization(26/68 eyes,38.2%) and macular edema(15/68 eyes,22.06%). Compared IRVAN syndrome with Eales disease, the difference of artery inflammation, vein inflammation, retinal macroaneurysms in posterior area had statistics significance(all P=000,Plt;005), and that of edema of optic disc, retinal vascular nonperfusion area, neovascularization of optic disc, neovascularization elsewhere, and macular edema had no statistics significance(chi;2=0.479，P＞0.05；P=0.131，P＞0.05；chi;2=1.449，P＞0.05；chi;2=0.068，P＞0.05；chi;2=1.676，P＞0.05). Conclusions Both IRVAN syndrome and Eales disease may have vein and artery inflammation in posterior pole of the eye, and may result in neuroretinitis. IRVAN syndrome has much more vein and artery inflammation in posterior pole than Eales disease. Posterior retinal macroaneurysms is the most important sign for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of IRVAN syndrome and Eales disease.
Objective To observe the mutifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) characteristics of rod and cone cells in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and to evaluate the function of photosensory cell.Methods The mfERG recording technique for rod cell in eight normal subjects (eight eyes) were established and the influence of different brightness lightstimulus in P1 wave amplitude were analyzed. The cone and rod cells mfERG of 38 eyes in 19 patients were recorded and then calculated positive ratio from local signalnoise ratio. The average visual acuity and P1 wave amplitude density of cone mfERG in different types were compared and statistically analyzed. Meanwhile, the changes in P1 wave amplitude of cone and rod mfERG in four quadrants also compared and analyzed. Results Rod cell mfERG in normal subjects can be recorded stably by using blue flashes with low light intensity as 0.04 cd/m2. In patients with RP, the cone and rod cells mfERG can be detectd 65.79% and 10.51% respectively. P1 wave amplitude density in type I of cone cell mfERG was significantly higher than that in type II (t=5.21,P=0.000). There were no differences in average visual acuity (t=1.15, P=0.612). P1 wave amplitude density in type I was negatively related to logMAR visual acuity （r=-0.48，P=0.04）.The comparison of rod and cone cells mfERG in local wave characteristics showed that P1 wave amplitude densities had spatial relationship in each area. Conclusions The results suggested highly variable central responses in cone cell in RP patients, higher positive recorded ratio in cone cell than rod cell and spatial correspondence between the function of reserved cone and rod cells.
Objective To observe the interferon-gamma; (IFN-gamma;), interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels of Th1 cytokine and IL-4、IL-10 levels of Th2 cytokine in serum and culture supernatants of splenic cells of the rats in the prevention of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis（EAU）by oral tolerance. Methods 72 Lewis rats were randomly divided into EAU group，oral tolerance group (which including 10 mu;g、100 mu;g、1 mg、10 mg of S antigen group respectively) and control group，12 rats in each group. The animal model of EAU was induced by immunization with S antigen（50 mu;g）and Freundrsquo;s complete adjuvant. Oral tolerance 10 mu;g、100 mu;g、1 mg and 10 mg group were fed with 1 ml mixture of 10 mu;g、100 mu;g、1 mg、10 mg S antigen and 1 mg trypsin inhibitor respectively by intubation，once the other day，totally 7 times，and then induced EAU according to above methods；control group was fed with 1 ml mixture of phosphate buffered saline and 1 mg trypsin inhibitor，once the other day，totally 7 times，and then induced EAU. The clinical manifestation of EAU in the eye were recorded,the eyeballs were enucleated at the peak of EAU，followed by pathological grading. Meanwhile the serum was colleced; splentic cells were separated and cultured to collect the supernatant. Cytokine levels of IFN-gamma;, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 in serum, cultured supernatant of splenic cells were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Compared with EAU and control group, the levels of IFN-gamma; and IL-2 (Th1 cytokine) in the serum in 100 mu;g and 1 mg group were decreased while the levels of IL4 and IL10 (Th2 cytokine) were increased，the differences were statistically significant（F=51.9, 68.8, 35.7,7.5,P＜0.01). Compared the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in the serum in 10 mu;g, 10 mg group with EAU and control group, the differences were not statistically significant. In 100 mu;g、1 mg group, the levels of IFN-gamma; and IL-2 (Th1 cytokine) in the culture supernatant of splenic cells were decreased while the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 (Th2 cytokine) were increased, compared with EAU and control group, the differences were statistically significant（F=57.1,15.6,33.1,167.7, P＜0.01）. Compared the levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokine in the culture supernatant of splenic cells in 10 mu;g、10 mg groups with EAU and control group, the difference are not statistically significant. Conclusions In the process to prevent EAU by oral intake, the levels of IFN-gamma; and IL-2 (Th1 cytokine ) were decrease while the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 (Th2 cytokine). Oral administration with too high or low dose of the antigen can not prevent EAU as well as the cytokine levels do not change obviously. Cytokines has played an important role in the prevention of EAU.
Objective To observe the efficacy of the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha; monoclonal antibody (TNF-alpha; MCAb) in the treatment of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Methods EAU animal models were induced by interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) R16 peptide with immunization. The rats were divided into 2 groups according to the injection times. TNF-alpha; MCAb was administered intravenously on day 6 or 4, 6 and 8 post-immunization respectively, and then to observe the clinical expression by slit-lamp microscope. Meanwhile, take the rats which did not accept TNF-alpha; MCAb as control group. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses were measured on day 13 post-immunization of IRBP R16; the rats were killed on day 14 post-immunization of IRBP R16, and then enucleated the eyes for histopathological examination. To detect the cytokine level of IFN-gamma;, IL-4 in serum and IFN-gamma; in aqueous humor by enzyme-liked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on day 14 post-injection. The hyperplasia responses of antigen specific lymphocyte of draining lymph node cells were detected. Results The TNF-alpha; MCAb group had mitigated ocular inflammation and decreased pathological grades compared with the control group; the IFN-gamma; concentrations in aqueous humor and serum were decreased, IL-4 was increased in serum; DTH responses were decreased; the hyperplasia responses of draining lymphocytes to IRBP R16 peptide were decreased, all the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01). The rats accepted TNF-alpha; MCAb thrice had much better curative effect than the rats injected once (P＜0.05). Conclusions Injection of TNF-alpha; MCAb can inhibit ocular inflammation and specific immune cells of EAU remarkably and change the Th1/Th2 balance. Many times injections of TNF-alpha; MCAb were more effective than once.
Objective To observe the expression and investigate the significance of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Methods 100 Lewis rats were immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) to induce EAU animal model, and they were divided into control group and treatment group randomly. The treatment group was administered cyclosporine A 20mg/（kgmiddot;d）after 1 to 28 days of immunization; the control group received saline buffer at equal quantity. All eyes were evaluated by slit-lamp microscopy before and after 7, 14, 21, 28 days of immunization; IL-4，IL-12，IFN-gamma; in the serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA); the SOCS mRNA and protein level in PBMC were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and western blot. Results The inflammation was most obvious at 14 days after immunization. The control group showed obvious iridocyclitis; the treatment group showed mild anterior chamber inflammation but no posterior synechia and hypopyon. The highest level of IL-12 and IFN-gamma; were observed at 14 days after immunization, followed by decline to the baseline at 28 days after immunization in control group; the highest level of IL-12 and IFN-gamma; were found at 14 days after immunization in treatment group, but the level was lower than control group obviously. Compared with the level before immunization, there are no differences at other time-point. The concentration of IL-4 decreased indistinctly in control group but increased in treatment group. SOCS1、Both of SOCS1 and SOCS5 increased to the highest level at 14 days after immunization, as 4.05 and 383 times of preimmunization in control group respectively, as 1.15 and 1.16 times in treatment group respectively. The CIS and SOCS3 mRNA increased lightly in two groups and treatment group milder than control group. Marked increased expression of SOCS1 and SOCS5 protein was detected at 7, 14, 21days than preimmunization, both of CIS and SOCS3 protein were significantly increased on 14, 21 days in control group; only SOCS1 protein was significantly increased on 14 days in treatment group and there are no differences at other time-point compared to pre-immunization. Conclusion Up-regulation of SOCS1 and SOCS5 expression maybe related to intensive response of Th1 in the development of EAU. Mild up-regulation of CIS and SOCS3 maybe associated with intensive response of Th2 which against the reaction of Th1 to carry out the dynamic immune balance.
Objective To observe the effect of Minocycline on RP process of retinal pigmentary degeneration rd mice［C3H/HeN (Pde6brd-/rd-)］. Methods 40 rd mice were divided into ten groups randomly: 5 experimental groups and 5 control groups, 4 rd mice in each group. The experimental group received intraperitoneal injection of minocycline 22.5mg/kg while the control group received saline 10ml/kg every day from the postnatal day 1 (P1) . Mice were sacrificed at P1, P7, P14, P21 and P28 respectively. Eyeballs were enucleated to carry out histology observation and apoptosis cell detection. Meanwhile, to statistically analyze the number of retinal photoreceptor cells,the thickness of outer nuclear layer (ONL)and the number of apoptosis cells. Results （1）Photoreceptor cell began to apoptosis on P7, peaked on P14, and totally disappeared on P28. （2）No statistically significant differences were found of the number of photoreceptor cells and the thickness of ONL on P7 between the experimental group and the control group. (3) The number of photoreceptor cells and the thickness of ONL in the experimental were more than that in the control group at P14, P21, P28 respectively, the differences are statistically significant（Plt;0.05）. (4) The apoptotic cells on ONL were less in the experimental group than that in the control group on P7 and P14 respectively, the difference are statistically significant（Plt;0.05）. Conclusions Minocycline appears to protect photoreceptor cell from apoptosis in the early stage of the retinal degeneration mice, but it may not completely prevent RP from occurrence.
Objective To observe the clinical characteristics of idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis (IRVAN) syndrome. Methods The clinical data of 3 patients with IRVAN syndrome which were diagnosed by systemic examination, fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were retrospectively analyzed. Results Idiopathic retinal vasculitis, which was induced by retinal arterial inflammation, multiple macroaneurysms of optic disc and retinal vessels, edema of optic disc, and exudation around the optic disc, was found in all of the 3 patients, multiple arteriolar aneurysms of optic disc and retinal vascular and exudative neuroretinitis. Two patients had peripheral retinal vascular nonperfusion area, which belonged to typical IRVAN syndrome. Conclusions The clinical characteristics of IRVAN syndrome include idiopathic retinal vasculitis which only involved in artery, multiple retinal macroaneurysms which located on the dissepiment of optic disc and retinal artery, and the neuroretinitis induced by exudation of retina and optic disc because of vasculitis and aneurysms. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2007, 23: 180-183)