Purpose:
To investigate the role of Fractalkine/CX3CR1 in light-induced photoreceptor degeneration and the relationship between photoreceptor apoptosis and retinal microglial activation.
Methods:
Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to intense blue light for 24 hours. Antibodies were used to label Fractalkine/CX3CR1 and retinal microglia at different time points. The expression of Fractalkine/CX3CR1 was detected by Real Time-PCR and Western immunoblot analysis. TUNEL method was used to detect cell apoptosis in retina. MAPKs were also examined to evaluate the possible signal pathway of microglia-photoreceptor crosstalk.
Results:
Our results showed the expression of Fractalkine increased in the outer nuclear layer of the retina and OX42-positive microglia also occurred in the same place. CX3CR1 was expressed major in the microglial. Expression of Fractalkine/CX3CR1 mRNA and protein were also significantly increased after explosion to light.
Conclusions:
These findings demonstrate that Fractalkine/CX3CR1 may play an important role in the microglia-photoreceptor crosstalk in Light-induced photoreceptor degeneration.
Keywords: microglia • retinal degenerations: cell biology • neuroprotection