Abstract
Purpose. Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) is a mitogenic polypeptide for a variety of different cells types including retinal neurons and glial cells. We have examined the temporal and spatial expression of TGF-α and its receptor in the normal and hyperoxia-exposed neonatal rat retina to determine if the expression is consistent with a role in retinal development and response to retinal injury. Methods. We have used immunohistochemistry to examine TGF-α and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) on postnatal days (1, 5, 10, 14, 18, and 25). To examine TGF-α and EGF-R expression after retinal injury we studied the retinas from rats which were exposed to 80% oxygen for 10 days and then recovered in room air. Immunolocalization of type IV collagen was performed to examine the retinal vasculature development after hyperoxia. Results. The pattern of TGF-α and EGF-R expression in the neural retina evolved from a diffuse pattern on postnatal day 1 to restricted sites on postnatal day 14. The TGF-α immunoreactivity was consistent with localization in Muller cells on postnatal day 14. Both TGF-α and EGF-R patterns were altered in the retinas from rats that had been exposed to hyperoxia and recovered in room air for 4 days. The type IV confirmed immunostaining confirmed vase-obliteration in the deep layer of retinal vessels after hyperoxia. Conclusions. Our findings of altered expression of TGF-α and EGF-R during retinal development suggests a biological function for this growth factor, possibly promoting retinal cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. The altered immunolocalization of TGF-α and EGF-R in the hyperoxia-exposed retina suggest that TGF-α is likely involved in the retinal response to injury.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 177-182 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Current Eye Research |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1997 |
Keywords
- Epidermal growth factor-receptor
- Hyperoxia
- Rat
- Retina
- Retinal development
- Transforming growth factor-α
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Sensory Systems
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience