Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the role of p62 in high IOP-induced optic nerve degeneration.
Methods: :
Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were received the combination of injection of india ink and laser treatment to trabecular meshwork. Intravitreal injection of rapamycin (2 µl; 1 mM) was performed. The effects of rapamycin on axon were evaluated by axon number counting 3 weeks after glaucoma induction. The expression of p62 in retina and optic nerve was examined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry.
Results: :
Immunohistochemistry showed that p62 exists not only in neurons including RGCs but also in glial cells. Western blot analysis showed a significant increase of p62 protein in optic nerve in high IOP group compared to control group. Rapamycin which is an autophagy inducer, but potentially decreases p62, ameliorated the axonal loss induced by high IOP.
Conclusions: :
p62 is found in both neurons and glial cells in retina but mainly in glia in optic nerve. Up-regulation of p62 in optic nerve may be involved in high IOP-induced optic nerve degeneration.
Keywords: optic nerve • neuro-ophthalmology: optic nerve • neuroprotection