Figure 2.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) reduced retinal degeneration in rd1 mice. (A) The scanning model used in the study. Twenty-five linear scans within 6 × 3 mm² area adjacent to optic nerve disk were obtained at nasal and temporal retinae. (B) The average retinal thickness was measured in circle area with a radius of 1.5 mm, centering at 3 mm away from optic nerve disk. (C) The retinal structure was well-organized with multiple layers in the C57 mice (n = 6), while the layers of ONL, ELM, and IS/OS junction were poorly visible in the PBS-treated rd1 mice at P16. However, the AAT-treated rd1 displayed a visible low-reflecting ONL layer. Abbreviations: NFL, nerve fiber layer; IPL, inner plexiform layer; INL, inner nuclear layer; OPL, outer plexiform layer; ONL, outer nuclear layer; ELM, external limiting membrane; IS/OS, inner segment/outer segment; RPE, retinal pigment epithelium. The retinal volume (D) and thickness (E) were increased in the AAT-treated rd1 mice compared to PBS-treated ones. n = 9 mice for each group. ***p < 0.001 (two-tailed unpaired t-test).