Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
09:07
An Optic Nerve Crush Injury Murine Model to Study Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival
Published on: April 25, 2011
Changes in ocular aquaporin expression following optic nerve crush
Adnan Dibas1, Hidehiro Oku, Masayuki Fukuhara
1Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX, USA. adibas@hsc.unt.edu
Molecular Vision
|March 11, 2010
Summary
Optic nerve crush (ONC) in rats significantly reduces retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and alters aquaporin (AQP) expression. AQP4 and Kir4.1 decrease, while AQP9 shows complex changes, suggesting roles in RGC death and retinal injury.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Aquaporins (AQPs) are crucial water channels implicated in various diseases.
- Optic nerve crush (ONC) is a model for retinal injury, but AQP involvement is unclear.
- Understanding AQP changes post-ONC is vital for retinal injury mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and aquaporin-9 (AQP9) expression following ONC in a rat model.
- To analyze the expression patterns of AQP4 and AQP9 in relation to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and astrogliosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrograde labeling of RGCs using FluoroGold.
- Induction of ONC in rats.
- Quantification of AQP4, AQP9, thy-1, Kir4.1, and beta-actin mRNA via real-time PCR.
- Measurement of AQP4, AQP9, Kir4.1, bcl-xl, and GFAP protein levels using western blotting.
Main Results:
- ONC led to a significant loss of RGCs (47% by day 7, 76% by day 14).
- AQP4, Kir4.1, and thy-1 protein and mRNA levels decreased post-ONC, with transient Kir4.1 mRNA upregulation.
- AQP9 exhibited dynamic changes: mRNA increased at days 2 and 14, while protein decreased; mRNA decreased at day 7 with a protein increase.
- GFAP (astrogliosis marker) was upregulated, and bcl-xl (anti-apoptotic marker) decreased.
Conclusions:
- Reduced AQP4 and Kir4.1 expression suggests impaired ion coupling and retinal function post-ONC.
- Sustained GFAP increase indicates astrogliosis, and decreased bcl-xl suggests cellular apoptosis.
- Dynamic AQP9 alterations imply its involvement in RGC death and amacrine cell responses to injury.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:25Aquaporins
Aquaporins or AQPs are a family of integral membrane proteins whose primary function is to transport water, while some called aquaglyceroporins also transport glycerol. In addition, aquaporins have also been suspected to be involved in transporting volatile substances, such as carbon dioxide and ammonia, across membranes. Such AQPs that act as gas channels are often highly expressed in cells involved in the gaseous exchange, such as red blood cells, epithelial cells, and pulmonary capillaries.