[Pigment epithelium-derived factor expression in the retina in response to hypobaric hypoxia].

Objective: The present study was undertaken to examine the expression of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in the retina of adult rat following hypobaric hypoxic exposures.

Methods: Forty-eight adult Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups randomly (8 rats in each group), of which 5 groups (40 rats) were subjected to hypobaric hypoxia for 2 hours following which expression of PEDF in the retina was investigated from 3 hours to 14 days by real time RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

Results: PEDF mRNA and protein expression in the retina was decreased at 3 hours to 14 days following exposure to hypoxia. Compared with normal control group (1.00+/-0.00), PEDF mRNA expression decreased to 0.83+/-0.05 at 3 hours, 0.72+/-0.04 at 24 hours, 0.56+/-0.04 at 3 days, 0.54+/-0.05 at 7 days and 0.49+/-0.05 at 14 days respectively; Compared with normal control group (1.90+/-0.02), PEDF protein expression decreased to 1.49+/-0.02 at 3 hours, 1.19+/-0.05 at 24 hours, 1.15+/-0.05 at 3 days, 1.09+/-0.06 at 7 days and 1.07+/-0.03 at 14 days respectively.

Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate hypoxia can downregulate PEDF in adult retina.