Figure 3. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase expression is enhanced in 670 nm treated aged mice.
A–D. Retinal sections were immunostained with COX (red). This enzyme is involved in mitochondrial respiratory chain and is activated by 670 nm light. In the experimental groups COX expression is significantly up regulated (A–B) compared to controls (C–E, p = 0.0001). B, D. Showed label with DAPI as a counter stain. COX staining was largely confined to photoreceptor inner segments and outer plexiform layer. F–G. This result was confirmed with significant increases in COX expression in qPCR (p = 0.0030) and Western blots (p = 0.0004). H. Differences for tubulin between groups were non-significant. Abbreviations, cytochrome c oxidase (COX), photoreceptor (PR), outer nuclear layer (ONL) and outer plexiform layer (OPL). Scale bar A–D = 40 µm.