Purpose:
Caspase plays an important role in apoptosis cascade. We discussed the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted against caspase 3 or caspase 9 to protect retinal ganglion cells from apoptotic cell death by transient ischemic injury.
Methods:
Seven week-old male Wister rats were used. We kept on rising IOP 120mmH2O for 120minutes then brought back to normal IOP. siRNAs designed against rat caspase 3 or caspase 9 were injected into the vitreous cavity 24hr prior to transient ischemia. . Saline injection was used as contol. Retinal ganglion cells were labeled with Fluoro-Gold retrogradely 3 day before transient ischemia. Two days after transient ischemic insult, flatmounts of the retina were examined by fluorescence microcopy.
Results:
In control group, the number of retinal ganglion cell was 720.9±86.4/mm2. In siRNA-treated groups, retinal ganglion cell loss was inhibited to 828.3±25.4/mm2 against caspase 3 and 925.7±91.1/mm2 against caspase 9 (P=0.0168 ,one way ANOVA).
Conclusions:
Caspase 3 and caspase 9 siRNA may protect the retinal ganglion cell damage induced by transient ischemic injury.
Keywords: neuroprotection • apoptosis/cell death • ganglion cells