Induction of nestin, Ki-67, and cyclin D1 expression in Müller cells after laser injury in adult rat retina.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to examine the expression of nestin, Ki-67, and cyclin D1 in Müller cells after laser injury in adult rat retina.


METHODS
The right eyes of adult Brown Norway rats were treated with laser photocoagulation. The eyes were removed 3, 7, and 14 days after laser treatment. The retinas were investigated immunocytochemically by confocal microscopy. Agarose-embedded sections were immunostained with antibodies to nestin, vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST), rhodopsin, Ki-67, and cyclin D1. Cell death was examined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine 5'-triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay on agarose sections.


RESULTS
Nestin expression was induced in Müller cells following laser injury. In addition, Ki-67 and cyclin D1 expression was found in the nuclei of Müller cells after the treatment. TUNEL assay demonstrated that Müller cells were not labeled; hence these cells were not apoptotic.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that dedifferentiation and proliferation of Müller cells can be induced by laser injury in adult rat retina.
Department of Ophthalmology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Minatoku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
Hideo
H
Kohno
Tsutomu
T
Sakai
Kenji
K
Kitahara
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D027341:Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D064231:Nestin; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D012160:Retina / Q000293:injuries* / Q000378:metabolism; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000096:biosynthesis
D027341:Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C577486:Nes protein, rat; D064231:Nestin; C493392:Slc1a3 protein, rat; D019938:Cyclin D1; D012243:Rhodopsin