Research Article

Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor 1 Modulates CNTF-Induced Axonal Growth and Neuroprotection in the Mouse Visual System

Figure 3

Modulation of S1PR1 expression by the CNTF/Stat3 pathway in optic nerve-injured retinae. (a, b) S1PR1 expression changes were monitored 3 d after ONC in retinae infected with ShH10.CNTF or ShH10.Empty, a control vector that was deprived of cDNA sequence. ShH10 viruses preferentially infected Müller glia in the retina [16]. P-Stat3 and S1PR1 were markedly increased by ShH10.CNTF in RGC somata identified using β3-tubulin as a specific marker. (c) Five days after ONC, qRT-PCR measurements showed that the infection of RGCs with AAV2.Stat3 significantly increased the mRNA level of S1pr1 compared with control AAV2.GFP vector. ShH10 and AAV2 viruses were intravitreally injected 4 weeks before ONC. Three mice were analyzed/grouped. Statistics: one-way ANOVA; , ; NS: not significant. Scale bar: 50 μm.
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