title: In situ detection of apoptosis in normal pressure glaucoma. a preliminary examination.
abstract: Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neurons are believed to die via apoptosis in human primary and secondary open-angle glaucoma. Previous studies have relied solely on the TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate [UTP]-biotin nick end-labeling) method of detecting DNA fragmentation to identify apoptotic nuclei. However, it is now clear that the TUNEL method cannot distinguish between the single- and double-strand DNA breaks that can be a feature of both apoptosis and necrosis. We have developed a double fluorescent labeling method that simultaneously combines in situ end-labeling (ISEL) to detect DNA fragmentation followed by staining with a cyanine dye, YOYO-1, to visualize apoptotic chromatin condensation. This allows for the unequivocal identification of an apoptotic nucleus. Our preliminary data obtained from one case of normal pressure glaucoma suggests that RGC neurons may die via apoptosis when intraocular pressure is not elevated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine/New York University, New York, NY 10029, USA. Nadine.Tatton@mssm.edu
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Tatton
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tezel
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Insolia
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nandor
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Edward
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wax
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis; D001583:Benzoxazoles; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D011806:Quinolinium Compounds; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D001583:Benzoxazoles; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011806:Quinolinium Compounds; C075296:1,1'-((4,4,7,7-tetramethyl)-4,7-diazaundecamethylene)bis-4-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydro(benzo-1,3-oxazole)-2-methylidene)quinolinium; D004247:DNA