Small Interfering RNA Targeted to ASPP2 Promotes Progression of Experimental Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

Figure 6

Effects of ASPP2 on retinal morphological changes of experimental PVR. Color fundus photographs of BN rats at 14-day follow-up (a). Fibrous proliferation was observed in both the scrambled control-siRNA treatment group and the ASPP2-siRNA treatment group, as indicated by the black arrows. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of retinal sections were performed at the 14-day follow-up (b). The swelling and proliferation of the ganglion cell layer in the scrambled control-siRNA and ASPP2-siRNA treatment group were apparent when compared to the normal control group. Scale bars, 50 μm. Immunohistochemical staining of the retinal sections of the BN rats at the 14-day follow-up (c). Fluorescence micrograph showing that cytokeratin expression (green) existed in the ganglion cell layer of the ASPP2-siRNA treatment group (green arrows) but not in the scrambled control-siRNA treatment group or the negative control group. However, ASPP2 expression (red) was not colocalized with the cytokeratin expression in the ganglion cell layer in the ASPP2-siRNA treatment group, indicating the knockdown efficacy of ASPP2-siRNA treatment in vivo. Cell nuclei were stained with DAPI. Representative results obtained in at least three independent experiments are shown. DAPI, 4′,6′-diamino-2-phenylindole. Scale bars, 100 μm.

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