Figure 5. Increased levels of tPA, uPA, and MMP-9 correlate with apoptotic cell death in the retina.

C57BL/6 mice (n = 6) were treated by intravitreal injection of PBS, KA (10 nM), AAA (100 ug), and KA plus AAA. At 24, 48 and 72 h after injection, apoptotic cell death was determined by TUNEL assay. The results indicate that KA induces apoptotic death of cells initially in the ganglion cell layer and subsequently in the inner and outer nuclear layers. TUNEL-positive cells were absent both in PBS and AAA-treated retinas. Furthermore, the TUNEL assays indicate that AAA does not inhibit KA-induced apoptosis. All images were acquired at 40× magnification.