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Abstract #20864 Published in IGR 10-2
GABAA receptors are associated with retinal ganglion cell death induced by oxidative stress
Okumichi H; Mizukami M; Kiuchi Y; Kanamoto TExperimental Eye Research 2008; 86: 727-733
A previously proteomic study from our laboratory showed that the expression of the protein of the GABAA receptor β1 subunit was significantly increased in the retina of EAAC1-deficient (EAAC1-/-) mice, a mouse model of glaucoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role played by GABAA receptor β1 subunit in the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) caused by oxidative stress. The retinal sites and expression pattern of GABAA receptor β1 subunit were determined by immunohistochemistry in the retina of ICR mice. A RGC line, RGC-5, was exposed to GABAA receptor agonist and antagonist, and the cell viability was determined by the MTS assay. The effect of GABAA receptor antagonist on the death of RGCs, and the activation of oxidative stress signaling induced by hydrogen peroxide was investigated. Our results showed that the GABAA receptor β1 subunit was expressed on the RGCs of ICR mice. GABAA receptor agonist induced RGCs death, and this death was inhibited by bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist. The hydrogen peroxide-induced death of RGCs was reduced by GABAA receptor antagonist, and the oxidative stress signaling activated by hydrogen peroxide was also inhibited. These results indicate that GABAA receptors are expressed on RGCs and may play a role in the death of RGCs induced by oxidative stress.
Dr. H. Okumichi, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
Classification:
2.13 Retina and retinal nerve fibre layer (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
