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Gene expression changes under cyclic mechanical stretching in rat retinal glial (Müller) cells
Xin Wang1, Jiawen Fan, Meng Zhang
1Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Plos One
|June 1, 2013
Summary
Mechanical stretching significantly alters gene expression in Müller cells, revealing their complex response to strain. This study highlights molecular pathways involved in retinal diseases caused by mechanical forces.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Müller cells are the primary glial cells in the retina.
- These cells play a crucial role in retinal injury and disease.
- Retinal tractional forces are implicated in various ocular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gene expression changes in Müller cells subjected to cyclic mechanical stretching.
- To identify specific genes and molecular pathways affected by mechanical strain.
- To understand the mechanoresponsive nature of Müller cells.
Main Methods:
- Rat Müller cells were subjected to 15% equibiaxial cyclic stretching for 1 and 24 hours.
- Gene expression profiling was performed using microarrays.
- Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR) was used for validation.
- Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses were conducted.
Main Results:
- Mechanical stretching significantly altered the expression of hundreds of genes in Müller cells at both 1 and 24 hours.
- A subset of genes related to stimulus response, cell proliferation, tissue remodeling, and vasculogenesis showed significant changes.
- The MAPK signaling pathway was identified as significantly affected by the mechanical strain.
Conclusions:
- Cyclic mechanical strain induces widespread gene expression alterations in Müller cells via multiple pathways.
- Müller cells exhibit complex mechanoresponsiveness.
- These findings offer insights into molecular mechanisms underlying retinal diseases involving mechanical forces, such as pathological myopia and proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
