Objective: To evaluate the expression and possible roles of Wip1 in retinal astrocytes after optic nerve crush (ONC).
Methods: Expressions of Wip1, GFAP, and p-p65 in ONC model were analyzed by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The mRNA expressions of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) were analyzed by RT-PCR.
Results: Wip1 was up-regulated at 14 days after ONC by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The changes of Wip1 were striking in astrocytes. Furthermore, the protein expression level of p-p65 was paralleled with Wip1 in a time-dependent manner by ONC. In addition, co-localization of Wip1 with Phospho-NF-κB-p65 (p-p65) was detected. Finally, the mRNA expressions of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) were significantly increased in retina after ONC.
Conclusions: These data were consistent with the hypothesis that Wip1 was implicated in neuroinflammation of retinal astrocytes after ONC via NF-κB signaling pathway.
Keywords: Astrocytes; NF-κB; Neuroinflammation; Optic nerve crush; Wip1.