EFFECT OF TUNICAMYCIN ON HISTOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION AND NA, K-ATPASE DISTRIBUTION IN THE ADULT CAT RETINA

Intravitreal injection of tunicamycin (TM) was evaluated as a method f or inducing photoreceptor-specific degeneration in cat retina. TM (1 m u g, 5-weeks duration) markedly decreased electroretinogram amplitudes . A polyclonal antibody directed against the Na, K-ATPase was used to further assess cell-specific retinal injury induced by TM, TM-treatmen t induced marked alterations in the differential distribution of the N a, K-ATPase within the retina. Histology confirmed photoreceptor degen eration in TM-treated retina, but further showed a severe, non-selecti ve degradation of most retinal layers. Therefore, long-term intraocula r exposure to TM results in a progressive general toxicity to the cat retina. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.