Discussion
This study provides evidence for changes in BDNF, CNTF, and FGF-2 in Oxygen-induced retinopathy.
Methods
The oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model was induced from P7 to P12 as described. Histology evaluation (HE) and retina flat mounts were checked at P17 to confirm the establishment of the OIR model. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration was checked by transmission electron microscopy at P17 to confirm the neurological damage caused by OIR. Western blot analysis was performed at P12, P15, and P17 to study the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) in normal and OIR mice. Comparative analysis of the expressions of BDNF, CNTF, and FGF-2 in normal and OIR mice was performed.
Results
There were many retinal NV and non-perfusion areas in OIR P17. RGCs were degenerated at OIR P17. The expressions of BDNF, CNTF, and FGF-2 gradually increased from P12 to P17 in normal mice and were much higher in OIR mice. The expression curves of BDNF, CNTF, and FGF-2 in the OIR model were inconsistent and did not correlate with each other.