Ganglion cells of the rat retina show osteopontin-like immunoreactivity

Osteopontin (OPN) is a negatively charged, highly acidic glycosylated phosp hoprotein that contains an GRGDS amino acid sequence, characteristic of pro teins that bind to integrin receptors, thereby playing crucial roles in a n umber of physiological processes. This study was conducted to examine the e xpression of OPN in the rat retina by Northern blot analysis, Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. The expression of OPN was identified in t he retina and OPN-like immunoreactivity was present in a number of ganglion cells. Thus, OPN appears to be important in the retinal homeostasis. (C) 2 000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.