Activated Müller Cells Involved in ATP-Induced Upregulation of P2X₇ Receptor Expression and Retinal Ganglion Cell Death

Figure 1

DHPG-induced upregulation of P2X₇R expression in rat retinas. (a) Immunofluorescence labeling showing the change in GFAP protein expression in rat retinal vertical slices taken from normal physiological solution- (NS-) injected retina (Control, Ctr) (a1) and DHPG-injected retina at 2 weeks after the injection (a2). (b) Immunofluorescence labeling showing the changes in P2X₇R protein expression in rat retinal vertical slices taken from NS-injected retina (Ctr) (b1), DHPG-injected retina (b2), and BBG + DHPG-injected retina (b3), respectively. (c) (c1)–(c3) are corresponding DAPI images. (d) The merged images of (b1) and (c1) (d1), (b2) and (c2) (d2), and (b3) and (c3) (d3), respectively. Scale bar, 20 μm for all images. GCL, ganglion cell layer; IPL, inner plexiform layer; INL, inner nuclear layer; OPL, outer plexiform layer; ONL, outer nuclear layer. (e) Representative immunoblots showing the changes of P2X₇R protein expression in control (Ctr), DHPG-injected and DHPG + BBG-injected rats. (f) Bar charts summarizing the average densitometric quantification of immunoreactive bands of P2X₇R protein levels under different conditions. for each group. and versus Ctr; versus DHPG alone group.

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