Abstract:

Objective To investigate the role of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) in the regulation of retinal cell apoptosis after experimental retinal detachment (RD). Methods Wistar rats were divided into normal control group (n=12), RD experiment group (n=15) and inhibition experiment group (n=15). RD model was established in RD experiment group and inhibition experiment group by injection of hyaluronic acid sodium under retina of left eyes, and MG132 (0.10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) was intraperitoneally injected in inhibition experiment group after model establishment. Laser confocal microscope was used to observe cell apoptosis with TUNEL staining 4 d after model establishment. The expression of UPP markers of ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolases L1 (UCH-L1) mRNA and protein in retinal tissues was detected by RTPCR and Western blotting respectively. Results It was indicated by laser confocal microscopic observations that the number of apoptotic cells in inhibition experiment group was significantly higher than that in RD experiment group. The expression of Ub and UCH-L1 mRNA and protein in RD experiment group was significantly higher than that in normal control group and inhibition experiment group (P<0.05), and the expression of Ub and UCH-L1 mRNA and protein in normal control group was significantly higher than that in inhibition experiment group (P<0.05). Conclusion The activity of UPP increases early after RD, which plays a protective role in the regulation of apoptosis of retinal cells.

Key words: ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, retinal detachment, cell apoptosis, rat