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Surgical Technique for Superior Cervical Ganglionectomy in a Murine Model
Published on: December 2, 2022
Superior cervical ganglionectomy induces changes in growth factor expression in the rat retina
Luke A Wiley1, Bruce A Berkowitz, Jena J Steinle
1Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.
Purpose:
To determine whether sympathetic nerves regulate expression of known angiogenic growth factors.
Methods:
Surgical sympathectomy (SNX) was used to remove sympathetic innervation to the eye. Real-time PCR was used to measure steady state mRNA expression of VEGF, VEGFR-2, angiopoietin-1, and Tie2. Western blot analysis was performed to assess protein expression. Blood-retinal barrier (BRB) permeability surface area product (PS) was measured using enhanced MRI on a separate group of control and SNX rats.
Results:
mRNA of both VEGF and VEGFR-2 decreased significantly at 6 weeks after SNX. VEGF protein expression also decreased significantly. VEGFR-2 protein was unchanged. Both angiopoietin-1 and Tie2 mRNA expression increased significantly after SNX. Immunoblot analysis showed that angiopoietin-1 protein expression coincided with its mRNA expression. Tie2 protein expression was unaffected. Sympathetic denervation did not significantly increase BRB PS.
Conclusions:
Surgical SNX results in a reduction in VEGF gene and protein expression, while increasing protein expression of Ang-1. These findings suggest that sympathetic nerves regulate the expression of angiogenic growth factors in rat retina.
Insights
Sympathetic nerves regulate angiogenic growth factors in the rat retina. Surgical sympathectomy reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and increased angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) expression.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The sympathetic nervous system plays a role in ocular physiology.
- Understanding the regulation of angiogenic growth factors is crucial for retinal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if sympathetic nerves influence the expression of key angiogenic growth factors in the rat retina.
- To determine the impact of sympathetic denervation on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) pathways.
Main Methods:
- Surgical sympathectomy (SNX) was performed to denervate the rat eye.
- Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were used to quantify mRNA and protein levels of VEGF, VEGFR-2, angiopoietin-1, and Tie2.
- Blood-retinal barrier (BRB) permeability was assessed using enhanced MRI.
Main Results:
- SNX led to a significant decrease in VEGF mRNA and protein expression.
- Angiopoietin-1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased post-SNX.
- VEGFR-2 and Tie2 expression showed no significant changes at the protein level.
- Sympathetic denervation did not significantly alter blood-retinal barrier permeability.
Conclusions:
- Sympathetic denervation significantly alters the expression of angiogenic factors in the rat retina.
- These findings indicate that sympathetic nerves regulate VEGF and angiopoietin-1 expression.
- The study suggests a novel role for the sympathetic nervous system in controlling retinal angiogenesis.
