Localization of platelet-activating factor receptor messenger RNA in the rat eye.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the distribution of platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor in the rat eye.


METHODS
Platelet-activating factor receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was evaluated with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in RNAs from several rat ocular tissues. Distribution of the expression was determined with in situ hybridization in adult rat eye sections and a 35S-labeled complementary RNA probe synthesized from the rat PAF receptor complementary DNA. In situ hybridization was also done with sections immunostained with OX-42, a microglia marker.


RESULTS
RT-PCR revealed that levels of PAF receptor expression were similar among the ocular tissues studied. The in situ hybridization signals were found in the corneal epithelium, iris and ciliary body, and ganglion and microglial cells in the retina.


CONCLUSIONS
Platelet-activating factor receptor mRNA was ubiquitously expressed in the rat eye with relative concentration in the corneal epithelium, iris and ciliary body, and retinal ganglion and microglial cells.
Mori
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan. mmori-tky@umin.ac.jp
Aihara
M
M
Shimizu
T
T
D000818:Animals; D002829:Choroid / Q000378:metabolism; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007498:Iris / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D017931:DNA Primers; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C039351:platelet activating factor receptor