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Role of RhoA/MERK1/ERK1/2/iNOS signaling in ocular ischemic syndrome

  • Basic Science
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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the molecular mechanisms underlying ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS). This study uses a rat model to evaluate the role of the RhoA/MEK1/ ERK1/2/iNOS pathways in response to OIS-associated oxidative and nitrosative stress, with a long-term goal of identifying therapeutic targets for OIS.

Methods

Rats were randomly allocated to one of three groups: bilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery (BOCCA), sham surgery control, or unoperated control (n = 8/group). Three months after the procedure, retinas were analyzed anatomically, using immunohistochemistry and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for RhoA, MEK1, ERK1, ERK2, iNOS. Retinal injury was assessed using TUNEL. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by WST-1 and TBA methods, respectively.

Results

In BOCCA rats, occlusion of the bilateral common carotid artery induced degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, which was not observed in either control group. Retinal levels of RhoA, MEK1, ERK1, ERK2, iNOS, NOX2, and MDA were elevated in the BOCCA group, but not in either control group. In comparison, retinal levels of SOD were reduced in SOD animals. By immunofluorescent staining, RhoA was elevated in all retinal layers, while the increased levels of MEK, ERK1/1, and NOX were restricted to the INL, and that of ERK1/2 and NOX inner nuclear layer; iNOS elevations were observed in both the inner and outer nuclear layers. TUNEL labeling results showed that BOCCA group is higher staining than sham and control group.

Conclusions

OIS elevates activity of the RhoA/MERK1/ERK1/2/iNOS pathways throughout the retina, likely reflecting a response to oxidative and nitrosative stress. Retinal thickness was reduced in BOCCA rats, reflecting a loss of retinal ganglion cells following the reduced blood flow to the eye. These results indicate that drugs that inhibit these pathways may be effective treatments for OIS.

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Author notes

    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

      Ran Du, Jia-lin Wang & Yan-ling Wang

    2. Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Friendship hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, 95 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, People’s Republic of China

      Jia-lin Wang

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    1. Ran Du
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    Correspondence to Jia-lin Wang.

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    Financial support

    National Science Foundation of China provided financial support in the form of quota subsidy funding (No. 81173412).

    The sponsor had no role in the design or conduct of this research.

    Conflict of Interest

    All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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    This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

    Additional information

    Jia-lin Wang and Yan-ling Wang contributed equally to this work presented and they are both corresponse to this manuscript.

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    Du, R., Wang, Jl. & Wang, Yl. Role of RhoA/MERK1/ERK1/2/iNOS signaling in ocular ischemic syndrome. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 254, 2217–2226 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-016-3456-1

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-016-3456-1

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