Purpose: The present study compared the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the lateral geniculate body between form deprivation amblyopia kittens and normal kittens to examine the significance of BDNF in the lateral geniculate body in the pathogenesis of amblyopia. Methods: Twenty kittens were divided into control group ( n = 10) and deprivation group ( n = 10). A black opaque eye mask was placed to cover the right eye of the deprivation group. Pattern visual-evoked potentials (PVEPs) were detected weekly in all kittens .After the kittens in the deprivation group developed monocular amblyopia, the lateral geniculate bodies of all kittens were removed. The expression of BDNF in the lateral geniculate body of the two groups was compared by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: The latency of the P100 wave in the right eye of the deprivation group was longer than that of the left eye and that of the right eye of the control group ( p < 0.05), and the amplitude decreased ( p < 0.05). The number and average optical density of BDNF-positive cells in the deprivation group were lower than those in the control group ( p < 0.05), and the expression of BDNF in the deprivation group was lower than that in the control group ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: The expression of BDNF in the lateral geniculate body of the amblyopic kittens decreased, and the decrease in BDNF promoted the development of amblyopia. These results demonstrate that BDNF in the lateral geniculate body plays an important role in visual development.

Purpose The present study compared the expression of early growth responsive gene-1 (Egr-1) in visual cortex between amblyopia kittens and normal kittens, and to explore the role of Egr-1 in the pathogenesis of amblyopia. Methods A total of 20 healthy kittens were randomly divided into deprivation group and control group with 10 kittens in each group. Raised in natural light, and covered the right eye of the deprived kittens with a black opaque covering cloth. Pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP) were measured before and at the 1st, 3rd and 5th week after covering in all kittens. After the last PVEP test, all kittens were killed. The expression of Egr-1 in the visual cortex of the two groups was compared by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results PVEP detection showed that at the age of 6 and 8 weeks, the P100 wave latency in the right eye of deprivation group was higher than that in the left eye of deprivation group (P < 0.05) and the right eye of control group (P < 0.05), while the amplitude decreased (P < 0.05). The number of positive cells (P < 0.05) and mean optical density (P < 0.05) of Egr-1 protein expression in visual cortex of 8-week-old deprivation group were lower than those of normal group, as well as the number (P < 0.05) and mean optical density of Egr-1 mRNA-positive cells (P < 0.05). Conclusions Monocular form deprivation amblyopia can lead to the decrease of Egr-1 protein and mRNA expression in visual cortex, and then promote the occurrence and development of amblyopia.

Purpose The present study compared the expression of early growth responsive gene-1 (Egr-1) in visual cortex between amblyopia kittens and normal kittens, and to explore the role of Egr-1 in the pathogenesis of amblyopia. Methods A total of 20 healthy kittens were randomly divided into deprivation group and control group with 10 kittens in each group. Raised in natural light, and cover the right eye of the deprived kittens with a black opaque covering cloth. Pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP) were measured before and at the 1st, 3rd and 5th week after covering in all kittens. After the last PVEP test, all kittens were killed. The expression of Egr-1 in the visual cortex of the two groups was compared by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results PVEP detection showed that at age of 6 and 8 weeks, the P100 wave latency in the right eye of deprivation group was higher than that in the left eye of deprivation group (P < 0.05) and the right eye of control group (P < 0.05), while the amplitude decreased (P < 0.05). The number of positive cells (P < 0.05) and mean optical density (P < 0.05) of Egr-1 protein expression in visual cortex of 8-week-old deprivation group were lower than those of normal group, as well as the number (P < 0.05) and mean optical density of Egr-1 mRNA-positive cells (P < 0.05). Conclusions Monocular form deprivation amblyopia can lead to the decrease of Egr-1 protein and mRNA expression in visual cortex, and then promote the occurrence and development of amblyopia.

Purpose Exploring the role of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) in visual cortex in visual development, and studying its expression changes in amblyopia kittens. Methods Fifteen 3-week-old kittens were randomly selected from the deprivation group and the control group, and raised in the natural environment. Black opaque covering cloth was used to cover the right eye of deprived kittens. Pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP) was detected at the 3rd, 4th, 6th and 8th weeks of age, and 5 kittens were randomly selected from each group and euthanized after each detection. The Arc expression both at mRNA and protein levels was assessed using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analyses. Apoptosis of visual cortex cells in 8-week-old kittens was detected by TUNEL. Results With the increase of age, the expression of Arc gene in visual cortex of both the deprivation group and the control group showed an upward trend, but the upward trend of the control group was more obvious. At the age of 8 weeks, the expression of Arc protein (P < 0.05) and mRNA (P < 0.05) in visual cortex of deprived kittens was lower than that of control kittens. Moreover, the number of apoptosis in visual cortex of deprivation group was higher than that of control group (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis shows that the expression of Arc gene was negatively correlated with the apoptosis level of visual cortex neurons. Conclusions The expression of Arc is associated with monocular form deprivation amblyopia and affects the apoptosis of visual cortex cells.