Expression of c-Jun and Bcl-2 Family Proteins in Apoptotic Photoreceptors of RCS Rats

Abstract

c-Jun and Bax may play a role in photoreceptor apoptosis in RCS rats.

Protection of photoreceptors by intravitreal injection of the Y-27632 Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor in Royal College of Surgeons rats

“…Apoptosis can be inhibited by the inhibition of the expression of the apoptosis-associated genes, including Bax, or by the overexpression of Bcl-2 (38,39). Previous studies have demonstrated that Bax is upregulated in photoreceptors and Bcl-2 was not downregulated in RCS rat retinas on day 28 compared with day 21 (40). The role of the Bcl-2 family in the apoptotic process of photoreceptors remains to be elucidated (41).…”

Cellular responses following retinal injuries and therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases

“…In RCS rats, disabled photoreceptor outer segment phagocytosis drives the apoptotic photoreceptor cell death (Tso et al, 1994). Increased expression of c-Jun and BAX proteins has been reported during the course of this process (Katai et al, 2006), which points to mitochondrial involvement and the activation of caspases (Perche et al, 2008), although it seems that the apoptotic process is not mediated by Bcl-2 (Katai et al, 2006;Sharma, 2001).…”

GM-CSF protects rat photoreceptors from death by activating the SRC-dependent signalling and elevating anti-apoptotic factors and neurotrophins

“…It has been suggested that subsequent chronic accumulation of the non-phagocytosed photoreceptor outer segment debris may induce the photoreceptor degeneration [13][14][15]. As a consequence, photoreceptors die by showing morphological signs of apoptosis [16][17][18][19][20][21]. Then, retinal remodelling seems to occur after decline of photoreceptor numbers [22].…”