Expression of Glutamate Receptors in Experimental Rat Model of Chronic Glaucoma.

Kim, Jie Hyun; Park, Chan Kee

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2006;47(3):468-476.
Published online March 31, 2006.

Expression of Glutamate Receptors in Experimental Rat Model of Chronic Glaucoma.

Jie Hyun Kim, Chan Kee Park

Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. ckpark@catholic.ac.kr

쥐의 만성 녹내장 모델에서 글루타민산염 수용체들의 발현

김지현,박찬기

Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence: Chan Kee Park, M.D., Ph.D.

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the changes of glutamate receptor expressions in the retina of the chronic ocular hypertension model of chronic glaucoma. METHODS: We performed quantification and localization of glutamate receptors (GluRs): NMDA receptor (NR)1, glutamate receptor (GluR)2/4, glutamate receptor (GluR)6/7 and metabotrophic glutamate receptor (mGluR)6 by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining in retinal tissues after inducing chronic elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) by cauterizing three episcleral vessels. RESULTS: The expression of NR1, GluR2/4 and GluR6/7 were increased significantly but mGluR6 was not, compared to the control group. NR1 expressed in the retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) and inner nuclear layer (INL) of the retinal tissue. GluR2/4 and GluR6/7 both expressed GCL and INL in the retina, but mGluR 6 expressed INL, GCL and outer nuclear layer (ONL) of the retina. CONCLUSIONS: The increased expression of glutamate receptors is associated with excitotoxic cell death in the experimental glaucoma model. NMDA receptor expression in retinal ganglion cells suggests that it may play an important role in the selective death of retinal ganglion cells.

Key Words: Glaucoma;Glutamate;Glutamate receptor;Retinal ganglion cell (RGC)