Age-Related Changes of Gene Expression Profile in Retina of SOD1-Deficient Mice

Abstract

Purpose: : To elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the phenotype resembling age-related macular degeneration in SOD1-deficient mice.

Methods: : mRNA was isolated from retinas of wild-type (WT) and SOD1-deficient mice (KO) with two different ages (20- and 50-week-old). Microarray analysises using Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430 2.0 Array were performed. Intensities of signals were compared between WT and KO, and changes of the ratio (KO/WT) with each age were analyzed.

Results: : Genes of mesenchymal markers were strongly up-regulated in KO. Upregulated genes were as follows: troponin T3 (27.9-fold), myosin light chain (24.2-fold), and actin (3-fold). Their signal intensities were significantly elevated in older mice. In the retinal pigment epithelium, transcription of serine protease gene (plamic transmembrane protein X) was up-regulated (5.0-fold) in KO.

Conclusions: : The microarray data may explain the molecular mechanism in cell migration required for choroidal neovascularization observed in KO (PNAS, 103: 11282-11287, 2006).

Keywords: oxidation/oxidative or free radical damage • gene microarray • choroid: neovascularization