Decreased TNF Levels and Improved Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival in MMP-2 Null Mice Suggest a Role for MMP-2 as TNF Sheddase

Figure 4

GFAP and TNF levels in wild type versus MMP-2 null mice, at baseline and 6 h after injection of NMDA. (a) Western blot revealed a trend towards increased GFAP expression upon intravitreal injection of NMDA, yet no differences between wild type and MMP-2 null mice (mean ± SEM, , two-way ANOVA). (b) Baseline TNF levels were lower in MMP-2 null mice as compared to wild type mice (mean ± SEM, , , Student’s -test). At 6 hpi, TNF levels had increased in both wild type and MMP-2 null mice; yet MMP-2 null mice still expressed significantly less TNF than wild type mice (mean ± SEM, , one-way ANOVA).

(a)

(b)