[Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in retina of rats in acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis].

Objective: To investigate the effects of glial fibrillary acidic protein on blood-retinal barrier of rats in acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Methods: On the 8 day the 14 day and the 21 day after rats EAE model were developed, the function of BRB was observed by injected with Evans blue intravenously and the expression of GFAP was detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results: At various time points, the amount of BRB leaked into retina was obvious lower in the control group than those in EAE group (P < 0.01); GFAP immunoreactivity was limited to ganglion cell layer and nerve fiber layer in the control retina; In EAE group, GFAP immunoreactivity was significantly increased in ganglion cell layer and nerve fiber layer, and a little GFAP immunoreactivity was found in inner plexiform layer on post-immune (p.i.) day 8; On p.i. day 14, GFAP immunoreactivity was espressed either in ganglion cell layer and nerve fiber layer or in inner plexiform layer and inner nuclear layer, moreover transfixed in inner nuclear layer and outer nuclear layer; On p.i. day 21, GFAP immunoreactivity was limited to ganglion cell layer, nerve fiber layer, inner plexiform layer and inner nuclear layer.

Conclusion: Acute EAE cause the rat's BRB damage that is possibly related to the activation of astrocyte.