Increased expression of ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor alpha mRNA inthe ischemic rat retina

Using in situ hybridization, we investigated the expression of ciliary neur otrophic factor receptor (CNTFR alpha) mRNA in the rat retina rendered isch emic by elevation of the intraocular pressure (IOP). The IOP was increased to 120 mmHg and maintained for 60 min. The rats were sacrificed on the day of reperfusion (DRP) 1,3, 7, 14, and 28. In the normal retina, the signal f or CNTFRa mRNA was present in retinal cells in the inner nuclear layer (INL ) and in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). On DRP 1, numerous cells in the INL and GCL showed a CNTFR alpha mRNA signal. From DRP 3 onwards, CNTFR alpha mRNA appeared in photoreceptor cells located in the outer part of the outer nuclear layer. The signal in these cells increased up to DRP 14 and then d ecreased at DRP 28. Our findings suggest that cells expressing CNTFR alpha mRNA may resist the degenerative processes induced by ischemic insult in th e rat retina. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.