Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Retinal laser lesions are known to enlarge with time, possibly due, in part, to apoptosis. We studied the changes in the production of the apoptosis marker, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), with respect to time from laser application and distance from the epicenter of laser injury. Methods: 4-7 week old Sus scrofa pigs received retinal diode laser burns at varying time intervals between 0 and 72 hours using a precise time-to-fixation technique. 3-NT staining was performed and imaged using confocal microscopy. Results: We measured red 3-NT associated fluorescence in 4 retinal regions. Mean signal per region was recorded for each slide that was exposed to 3-NT antibody and a separate slide, exposed to an irrelevant antibody was used as a negative control. The signal attributable to non-specific binding as determined in the negative control was subtracted from the comparable 3-NT slide. R1 - Inner nuclear layer, R2 - Outer nuclear layer, R3 - Photoreceptor outer segments, R4 - Choriocapillaris. Conclusion: 3-NT production occurs mainly in the outer retina and varies depending on the age of the retinal injury as well as the distance from the epicenter of the injury.
Keywords: 556 retina: neurochemistry • 537 radiation damage: light/UV • 506 pathology: experimental