Abstract
Purpose: :
Retinal ischemia is believed to initiate a series of events that leads to retinal neovascularization observed in several retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. Although some molecules such as VEGF and MCP-1 have been implicated in the process, its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In order to identify genes associated with retinal ischemia, we performed gene expression analyses in retinas of mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy using DNA microarray technology.
Methods: :
C57BL/6J pups were placed in a 75% oxygen environment on postnatal day 7 (P7) for 5 days and then returned to room air. Retinas were removed from mice at 0 (P12), and 12 hours (P12.5) after ischemia. Total RNA was extracted from each retina and used to generate double-stranded cDNA. Biotin-labeled cRNA was then generated and hybridized to Illumina BeadChip Arrays. The fluorescence intensities of the scanned images were analyzed by computer and data mining was performed by Genespring software.
Results: :
By this analysis, the expression ratio of Vegfa (control : hyperoxia : hypoxia) was 1:0.78:1.48, which is consistent with our previous results of the Northern blot analyses. The levels of gene expression related to hemoglobin and chromatin structure were altered in hyperoxic P12 retina compared to control, whereas those related to glycolysis, immune response and apoptosis were altered in hypoxic P12.5 retina.
Conclusions: :
We show that retinal ischemia is associated with changes in gene expression. The results suggest that some of the extracted genes may have a role in retinal neovascularization.
Keywords: gene/expression • retinal neovascularization • hypoxia