TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha receptor-1 in the retina of normal and glaucomatous eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression and localization of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and TNF-alpha receptor-1 in the retina of normal and glaucomatous eyes.


METHODS
Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, retinal expression and localization of TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha receptor-1 were studied in retina sections from 20 eyes of donors with glaucoma, and 20 eyes of age-matched normal donors.


RESULTS
According to immunohistochemistry, the intensity of the immunostaining and the number of labeled cells for TNF-alpha or its receptor were greater in retina sections of glaucomatous eyes than in control eyes of age-matched normal donors. In situ hybridization showed that mRNA signals for TNF-alpha or TNF-alpha receptor-1 were similarly more intense in glaucomatous eyes than in age-matched control eyes. Both protein and mRNA of TNF-alpha or TNF-alpha receptor-1 were predominantly localized to the inner retinal layers. Double-immunofluorescence labeling demonstrated that retinal immunostaining for TNF-alpha was predominantly positive in the glial cells, whereas immunostaining for TNF-alpha receptor-1 was mainly positive in the retinal ganglion cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Upregulation of TNF-alpha and its receptor-1 in glaucomatous retina suggest that TNF-alpha-mediated cell death is involved in the neurodegeneration process of glaucoma.
Tezel
G
G
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. tezelg@vision.wustl.edu
Li
L Y
LY
Patil
R V
RV
Wax
M B
MB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D047888:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha