Abstract
Purpose: To determine ZO-1 tight junction protein distribution in control and diabetic rat retinas. Methods: Eighteen of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats were made diabetic by IV streptozotocin injection, 65 mg/kg. Animals were sacrificed after 7 or 12 weeks of diabetes and the eyes enucleated. ZO-1 indirect immunofluorescence was examined in cryostat sections with a monoclonal antibody. Endothelium was localized with a polyclonal anti-von Willebrand factor antibody, ZO-1 immunoreactivity was estimated by masked evaluation. Results: ZO-1 immunofluorescence was found in vWF-positive microvessels in retina and choroid. ZO-1 immunofluorescence was not detected in the retinal pigment epithelium. ZO-1 immunoreactivity was judged to be reduced in 14/18 diabetic animals versus 3/10 control animals. Conclusions: ZO-1 protein is found in the inner blood-retinal barrier of rats. Experimental diabetes may reduce ZO-1 content and contribute to increased blood-retinal barrier permeability.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S971 |
| Journal | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - Feb 15 1996 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Ophthalmology
- Sensory Systems
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
