Neuronal nitric oxide synthase is crucial for ganglion cell death in rat retinal explant cultures.
We examined possible involvement of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on ganglion cell death in explant cultures of neonatal rat retina. Survival of retinal ganglion cells was significantly prolonged by a broad-spectrum NOS inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methylester. NADPH diaphorase staining revealed a diffused distribution of NOS activity in neuropils of the inner plexiform layer as well as several neurons in the inner nuclear layer. Moreover, 7-nitroindazole but not aminoguanidine promoted the survival of retinal ganglion cells. These results suggest a crucial role of neuronal NOS-derived nitric oxide in retinal ganglion cell death.
Katsuki
Hiroshi
H
Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Japan.
Yamamoto
Rie
R
Nakata
Daisuke
D
Kume
Toshiaki
T
Akaike
Akinori
A
D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007191:Indazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D019581:Neuropil / Q000201:enzymology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors
D007191:Indazoles; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase; C080122:7-nitroindazole; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester