ABSTRACT
Purpose To detect the expression and the function of MCP-1 and its receptor CCR2 in wet agerelated macular degenerative (wAMD) model mouse retina. Methods C57BL/6J mouse were enrolled into the study. Model mouse of wAMD was induced with laser. Frozen sections were prepared for histopathological tests. Immunofluorescence study for MCP-1 and CCR2 was carried out. Co-expression study for CCR2/ CDllb or CCR2/CD68 was carried out. Total protein and total mRNA from the eyes of both wAMD and wild type mouse were extracted. The expression of mRNA and protein of MCP-1 and CCR2 in the eyes were determined by reverse transcription-poly-merase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blots test, respectively. Results In wild type mouse, both MCP-1 and its receptor CCR2 were not detected in the retina. However in wAMD mouse, an obvious up-regulated MCP-1 and CCR2 expression was seen in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells accompanied with the increased expression of their mRNA and protein. The co-expression study showed that CCR2 co-ex-pressed with CDllb, but not with CD68. Conclusion MCP-1 and its receptor CCR2 may play a role in the wAMD through stimulation of microglia.