[Effects of rAAV-mediated rhBDNF gene transfection on BDNF gene expression in the retina of a rabbit model of acute high intraocular pressure].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the changes in the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene in the retina of rabbits with acute high intraocular pressure (IOP) after injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector containing human BDNF gene (rAAV-hBDNF), and investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of rAAV-hBDNF.


METHODS
The unilateral eyes of 24 white rabbits were randomly chosen as the model group with high IOP induced by saline perfusion into the anterior chamber, and the contralateral eyes served as the control group without treatment. In another 24 white rabbits, 10 microl rAAV-BDNF was injected into the vitreous body of one of the eyes 3 days before induction of high IOP. On days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after perfusion, the bilateral eyes of 6 rabbits were excised for immunohistochemistry for the expression of endogenous BDNF gene in the retina.


RESULTS
The number of BDNF-positive cells in the retina decreased after induction of high IOP, and injection of rAAV-hBDNF resulted in a significant increase in BDNF-positive cells as compared with the positive cell number in the high IOP model and control groups (P<0.05, P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
rAAV-mediated BDNF gene transfection can increase endogenous BDNF expression in the retina of rabbits with acute high IOP. Intravitreous injection is an effective pathway for rAAV-hBDNF gene transfection into the retina.
Wang
Jian-Ming
JM
Department of Ophthalmology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an 710004, China. xajdwjm@163.com
Sun
Nai-Xue
NX
Hui
Na
N
Fan
Ya-Zhi
YZ
Feng
Hai-Xiao
HX
Zhao
Shi-Ping
SP
D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D011994:Recombinant Proteins