St. Chen et al., FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE EXPRESSION OF BETA-AMYLOID PRECURSOR PROTEIN IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN THE RAT RETINA, Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology, 57(1), 1998, pp. 16-20
Expression of beta-amyloid precursor protein immunoreactivity in the r
at retina was studied after intravitreal injection of substances known
to influence neural function in different ways. The substances were t
he excitatory amino acid glutamate, the inflammatory agent lipopolysac
charide, the depolarizing agent potassium chloride, and the potassium
channel blocker barium chloride. In comparison with controls, more bet
a-amyloid precursor protein immunoreactivity was observed in the radia
l process of Muller glial cells 24 hours after injection of glutamate
or lipopolysaccharide. In contrast, administration of barium chloride
greatly reduced immunostaining in Muller cells. Further an increase in
immunostaining was observed in the inner and outer plexiform layers i
n retinas treated with any of the 3 chemicals, and in blood vessels af
ter injection of glutamate and lipopolysaccharide. These observations
suggest that multiple but specific signaling pathways are involved in
regulating expression of beta-amyloid precursor protein in distinct ce
ll types and regions in the retina.