Purpose
to evaluate the protective effect of HO-1 on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) through gene delivery after optic nerve crush injury
Methods
AAV5-HO-1 was injected intravitreally in left eye of rats 3 weeks before optic nerve (ON) crush injury in one group. AAV5-LacZ injected intravitreally in left eye of rats was served as control group for comparison. ON crush injuries were induced by applying a 60-g microvascular clip to the ON at a distance of 2 mm posterior to the globe for 2 minutes. The protective effect of HO-1 on RGCs was evaluated by TUNEL labelling and RGC counting through retrograde labeling by fluoroGold and through immunofluorescence by Brn 3a staining.
Results
Intraviteal injection of AAV5-HO-1 transduced the expression of HO-1 in RGCs. Retina treated with AAV5-HO-1 attenuated the apoptosis in RGCs 2 weeks after ON crush injury as well as preserved more RGCs compared to retinal treated with AAV5-LacZ.
Conclusions
HO-1 might be a potential therapeutic target for treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy.
Keywords: 538 gene transfer/gene therapy •
629 optic nerve •
695 retinal degenerations: cell biology