J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2006 Mar;47(3):468-476.

Expression of Glutamate Receptors in Experimental Rat Model of Chronic Glaucoma

• Kim JH
• Park CK

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.

Keyword

Glaucoma; Glutamate; Glutamate receptor; Retinal ganglion cell (RGC)

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blotting, Western
Cell Death
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Glaucoma*
Glutamic Acid*
Intraocular Pressure
Models, Animal*
N-Methylaspartate
Ocular Hypertension
Rats*
Receptors, Glutamate*
Retina
Retinal Ganglion Cells
Retinaldehyde
Glutamic Acid
N-Methylaspartate
Receptors, Glutamate
Retinaldehyde