P2X7 receptor activation may be involved in neuronal loss in the retinal ganglion cell layer after acute elevation of intraocular pressure in rats

Purpose: To investigate whether the P2X(7) receptor is involved in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death after the intraocular pressure (IOP) is elevated in rats. Methods: After the IOP was elevated to 90 mmHg for 1 h, the rats were subsequently administered oxidized adenosine triphosphate (OxATP) and brilliant blue G (BBG) as P2X(7) antagonists. The rats were euthanized 7 days after IOP elevation for histologic evaluation and at 1, 3, and 7 days after IOP elevation to immunostain for the P2X7 receptor and neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin in the retina. Changes in P2X(7) receptor expression were measured in total retina extracts using western blot analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR was also performed using the entire retina to determine whether the P2X(7) receptor is involved in upregulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, and IL-6 at 1, 2, and 3 days after the IOP was elevated. Results: RGC density and the inner plexiform layer thickness significantly decreased 7 days after IOP elevation, but were dose-dependently preserved when treated with OxATP or BBG. P2X(7) immunoreactivity in the RGCs increased after IOP elevation, with the peak occurring from day 1 through day 3. Protein levels of P2X7 receptor were significantly increased 1, 2, and 3 days after IOP elevation. The messenger ribonucleic acid expression of the P2X7 receptor, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 was significantly upregulated in the retina after IOP elevation, and was suppressed by treatment with OxATP. Conclusions: These results suggest the expression of the P2X(7) receptor is upregulated in the retina after IOP elevation, leading to RGC death. Upregulation of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 might be involved in this mechanism of RGC death. Furthermore, P2X(7) antagonists may prevent RGC death after IOP elevation.