The expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α in embryonic and postnatal rats' retinae / 中华眼底病杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) in rats' retinae during the embryonic and earlier postnatal period.MethodsThe retinal expression patterns of HIF-1α protein and mRNA of embryonic day 12 (E12), E16, E20, and postnatal day 1(P1) and P5 rats were determined by immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).ResultsHIF-1α protein was detected in the neural epithelial layer and the pigment epithelial layer at all those 5 timepoints, with higher expression in the ganglion cell layer and the inner plexiform layer, and seems limited to the ganglion cell layer when retina became more mature. Embryonic rat retina had higher expression of HIF-1α protein and mRNA than postnatal retina, the difference was significant (P<0. 01). ConclusionThe expression of HIF-1α in rats' retinae differs from embryonic to earlier postnatal stages.