| Objective : To observe the protein expression patterns of RBMX after retinal light damage, as well as to discuss its potential biological roles in the retinal ganglion cell(RGC) damage after light exposure.Methods: Adult SD rats were exposed to bright light as the model of acute light damage, and then retinas were extracted from rats, using Western Blot analysis of protein expression of RBMX. Immunohistochemistry,immunofluorescence, and TUNEL were performed to observe RBMX expression distribution, cellular localization and cellular apoptosis in the retina.Results: RBMX protein expression increased at 6 h and reached the peak at 12 h, gradually recovering to the baseline level at 7 d after light exposure.Immunohistochemistry demonstrated RBMX expression in the retinal ganglion cell layer was significantly increased after light exposure.Immunofluorescence double labeling showed that RBMX, ganglion cellular marker(Neu N), and apoptotic marker(Cleaved caspase-3) were colocalized in the RGCs. TUNEL staining showed cells of the ganglion cell layer had undergone apoptosis after light exposure. In addition, we performed western blot to further detect the expression profiles of two main members of Bcl-2 family: Bax and Bcl-2. After light exposure, both BAX and BCL-2 were upregulated, which kept increasing until 12 h then it decreased gradually.Conclusions: The up-regulation of RBMX expression after retinal light damage may be involved in the RGCs apoptosis, which plays a vital role in the process of retinal injury and repair. |
