Elevated expression of TREK-TRAAK K2P channels in the retina of adult rd1 mice
Journal Title: International Journal of Ophthalmology - Year 2019, Vol 12, Issue 6
Abstract
"AIM: To examine the expression of Twik-related K+ channel 1 (TREK-1), Twik-related K+ channel 2 (TREK-2), and Twik-related arachidonic acid-stimulated K+ channel (TRAAK) in the retina of adult rd1 mice and to detect the protective roles of TREK-TRAAK two-pore-domain K+ (K2P) channels against retinal degeneration. METHODS: Twenty-eight-day-old C57BL/6J mice and 28-day-old rd1 mice were used in this study. Retinal protein, retinal RNA, and embedded eyeballs were prepared from these two groups of mice. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were used to assess the gene transcription and protein levels, respectively. Retinal structures were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to observe the retinal localization of TREK-TRAAK channels. Current changes in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after activation of TREK-TRAAK channels were examined using a patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: Compared with C57BL/6J mice, rd1 mice exhibited significantly higher retinal mRNA and protein expression levels of TREK-1, TREK-2, and TRAAK channels. In both groups, immunohistochemistry showed expression of TREK-TRAAK channels in retinal layers. After addition of the TREK-TRAAK channel agonist arachidonic acid (AA), whole-cell voltage step evoked currents were significantly higher in RGCs from rd1 mice than in RGCs from control C57BL/6J mice, suggesting that TREK-TRAAK channels were opened in RGCs from rd1 mice. CONCLUSION: TREK-TRAAK K2P channels’ expression is increased in adult rd1 mice. AA induced the opening of TREK-TRAAK K2P channels in adult rd1 mice and may thus counterbalance depolarization of RGCs and protect the retina from excitotoxicity. TREK-TRAAK channels may play a protective role against retinal degeneration."
Authors and Affiliations
Xiao-Bo Zhu
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP642817
- DOI 10.18240/ijo.2019.06.07
- Views 58
- Downloads 0
Alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium for recurrent corneal erosion syndrome
"AIM: To evaluate the outcomes of alcohol delamination (ALD) of the corneal epithelium for the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES) and to implement a standardized treatment protocol for this condition...
High glucose: activating autophagy and affecting the biological behavior of human lens epithelial cells
"AIM: To clarify the effect of autophagy on human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) under high glucose conditions. METHODS: HLECs were cultured with different concentrations of glucose and 3-methyladenine (3-MA); the express...
Scutellaria barbata attenuates diabetic retinopathy by preventing retinal inflammation and the decreased expression of tight junction protein
"AIM: To observe the attenuation of ethanol extract of Herba Scutellaria barbata (SE) against diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its engaged mechanism. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotoci...
miR-211 promotes lens epithelial cells apoptosis by targeting silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 1 in age-related cataracts
"AIM: To detect the expression of miR-211 in age-related cataract tissue, explore the effects of miR-211 on lens epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis, and identify its target gene. METHODS: This study used real-ti...
MMP-2 Rs24386 (C-->T) gene polymorphism and the phenotype of age-related macular degeneration
"AIM: To examine the MMP-2 (-1306 C/T) gene polymorphism and the phenotype characterized by soft and hard drusen of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and geographic atrophy of late AMD form. METHODS: The study...