Purpose In our previous study, we found increased expression of p75^NTR and sortilin by Western blotting in ischemic retina induced by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). In this study, we ascertained the protein expression changes of proNGF and proBDNF in ischemic retina induced by elevated IOP.

Methods Cell Specific expression of proBDNF and proNGF was characterized in normal rat retina by double-labeling immunochemistry. The protein expression changes of proBDNF and proNGF in rat retina were observed in elevated IOP - induced retinal neuron ischemic model by Western blotting.

Results Immunofluorescence labeling showed that there was proBDNF protein expression in the GCL of normal rat retina, and proNGF was primarily present in nerve fiber layers (NFL) and large ganglion cell bodies. ProBDNF and proNGF were found at the band of 32KDa and 28 (proBDNF) /25KDa (proNGF) by Western blotting. The 28/25KDa band was increased significantly (p<0.05) while the 32KDa band showed little change at day 3, 5 and 7 following elevated IOP- induced retinal ischemia.

ConclusionThese results suggested that proBDNF protein expression in the GCL and proNGF was primarily present in NFL and large ganglion cell bodies of normal rat retina, while the protein expression forms of 28KDa proBDNF and 25KDa proNGF increased in ischemic retina induced by elevated IOP.