Objective To determine the effects of lensspecific overexpression of OSM on the eye development. Methods A truncated mouse OSM c DNA (661 bp) was linked to the αA-crystallin promoter. Transgenic mice were characterized by routine histological and immunohistochemical techiniques. TUNEL assays were used to de tect cell death. The mRNA expression of caspase-3 was detected by in situhybridization, Rabbit anti-cleavage caspase-3 antibody was used to detectactive capase-3. Results At embryonic day (E) 14.5 and 17.5, expression of the OSM transgenic protein was detected specifically in lens fiber cells. The onset of retinal degeneration in the mid portion of the transgenic retinae was observed started from E17.5. By the time of birth 50% or more of the retinal cells were missing. The OSM transgenic retinal cells underwent apoptosis indicated by TUNEL assays. Most strikingly, activation of caspase-3 protein were observed throughout the transgenic retinas. Conclusions Lens-specific overexpression of OSM activate caspase-3, leading to abnormal eye development,apoptosis and widespread retinal degeneration. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：201-268)
Objective To investigate the degenerative changes in the inner rat retina after photic injury.Methods After 24 hour-dark adaptation, sixty Lewis rats were exposed in a ventilated green plexiglass chamber that transmitted continuous green light between 480-520 nm with an intensity of 900～1 000 lx. After 24 hour exposure, the rats stayed in darkness and were sacrificed after 1 day, 3,7 or 14 days. The neurons in the inner retina were marked by immunohisto chemical technique and observed by light and electronic microscope.Results The apoptotic photoreceptor cells were noted after photic injury. The degeneration and decreasing number of rod bipolar cells were found after 3 days; the edema of horizontal cells occurred after 1 day but ameliorated gradually; decreasing number of amacrine cells was found after 1 day; sustained edema of ganglion cells and prolifeeration of the Müller cells were found after photic injury. Pyknotic and edematous neruronal degenerations of inner retina were found in ultrastructural study.Conclusion The neurons in the inner retina as well as Müller cells are involved in the degeneration after photic injury. Different neurons manifest different patterns of degeneration.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：201-268)