Abstract
Purpose:
Semaphorin are a family of glycoproteins that play an important role in repulsive axon guidance during embryogenesis. We have now investigated that the expression of class 3 semaphorins, and the role of semaphorin in rat retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve crush.
Methods:
Optic nerve crush injury was induced in Long avans rats. Eyes and retinas were collected at intervals of 3, 7 and 14 days after procedure. Using RT-PCR, immunoblot and immunohistochemical analysis, the expression levels of class 3 semaphorins were studied. Also, the expression and role of semaphorins in retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve crush was examined by Laser Microdissection and retinal organ culture system.
Results:
We found a decrease in semaphorin 3F levels in the retina at 7 and 14 days after optic nerve crush, but no change in others semaphorin 3 class (sema 3A, 3B or 3C). Particularly, these decreasing expression was seen in the retinal ganglion cell layers of retina. These events were also shown in retinal organ culture using retinas after optic nerve crush and control.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that neural guidance gene semaphorin 3F may play an important role in the regulation of retinal ganglion cells functions and provide more information about RGC survival.
Keywords: 629 optic nerve •
564 innervation: neural regulation •
531 ganglion cells