Abstract
Axotomy of the optic nerve in rodents induces the majority of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to undergo apoptosis: Only 10-15% survive 14 days past lesion. The molecular mechanism allowing this survival is not known. To test whether expression of the anti-apoptotic proto-oncogene bcl-2 gene is required in those RGCs, we examined the effect of optic nerve axotomy in bcl-2-/- mice. 7 days and 14 days post-lesion, the same number of surviving RGCs was detected in mutant and wild type retinas. Thus, the bcl-2 gene is not necessary for the survival of the subpopulation of retinal ganglion cells resisting axotomy-induced apoptosis in adult mice, nor does its normal expression delay retinal ganglion cell degeneration.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis / physiology*
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Axotomy
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Carbocyanines
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Cell Count
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Cell Survival / physiology*
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Fluorescent Dyes
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Mice
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Mice, Knockout
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Optic Nerve / metabolism*
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Optic Nerve / physiopathology
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Optic Nerve / surgery
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Optic Nerve Injuries / metabolism*
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Optic Nerve Injuries / pathology
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Optic Nerve Injuries / physiopathology
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / deficiency*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
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Retinal Ganglion Cells / metabolism*
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Retinal Ganglion Cells / pathology
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Retrograde Degeneration / metabolism*
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Retrograde Degeneration / pathology
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Retrograde Degeneration / physiopathology
Substances
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3,3'-dihexadecylindocarbocyanine
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Carbocyanines
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Fluorescent Dyes
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2