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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
Experimental Models for Study of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Physiology and Pathophysiology
Published on: November 7, 2010
Caspase activation in an experimental model of retinal detachment
David N Zacks1, Virve Hänninen, Mina Pantcheva
1Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. davzacks@umich.edu
Purpose:
To test for apoptotic photoreceptor cell death and caspase activation as a function of time after induction of an experimental retinal detachment.
Methods:
Retinal detachments were created in Brown Norway rats by injecting 10% hyaluronic acid into the subretinal space using a transvitreous approach. Light microscopy and terminal dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) was performed at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after detachment to assess for the morphologic features associated with apoptosis. Western blot analysis of retinal protein extracts was performed using antibodies against caspase-3, -7, and -9 and poly-ADP ribose-polymerase (PARP) at 1, 3, and 5 days after detachment.
Results:
Light microscopic analysis of detached retinas showed the presence of pyknotic nuclei in the outer nuclear layer and disruption of the normal organization of the photoreceptor outer segments. TUNEL-staining was positive in the outer nuclear layer only in the detached portions of the retina. Western blot analysis confirmed the time-dependent activation of caspase-3, -7, and -9 and PARP in the detached retinas. No morphologic stigmata of apoptosis or caspase activation was detected in attached retinas.
Conclusions:
The apoptotic photoreceptor cell death in experimental retinal detachments is associated with caspase activation.
