Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Muller cell is reported to produce neurotrophic factor and may be a part of neuroprotective system in the retina. The aim of this study was to investigate the change of neurotrophic factor mRNA expression of Muller cell under hypoxic stress and high-pressure stress. Methods: Muller cells from 3-day-old Wister Rat were isolated and cultured with DMEM with 10% fetal bovine serum. The mRNA expression level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was examined using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR. Hypoxic stress was induced by incubating cultured Muller cells with 5% oxygen for 2 hours and high-pressure stress was induced by applying the pressure of 76mmHg for 1 hour. The mRNA expression level of neurotrophic factors was compared with that under normal condition. Results: Under hypoxia or high-pressure stress, the expression level of BDNF, CNTF and GDNF gene was decreased to 70% compared with normal level. The expression level of BDNF, CNTF and GDNF gene recovered to normal level after 4 hours from hypoxic stress removal. The expression level of BDNF, CNTF and GDNF gene recovered to normal level after 2 hours from high-pressure stress removal. Conclusion: Under hypoxia or high-pressure stress, neuroprotective function of Muller cells is suppressed. When the stress is removed, neuroprotective function of Muller cells gradually recovers to normal level.
Keywords: 479 Muller cells • 489 neuroprotection • 428 hypoxia