Rod and cone degeneration in the rd mouse is p53 independent

Mol Vis. 2001 Apr 26:7:101-6.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether p53 is required for the death of rod and cone photoreceptors in rd mice, a model of human retinitis pigmentosa, and/or for the natural degeneration of inner nuclear layer (INL) cells in the developing retina.

Methods: Rod photoreceptor and INL apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining of mouse sagittal sections from post natal day (P) 10, 13, 15, 17, and 20 day p53+/+ and p53-/- rd retinas. Cone photoreceptor survival was measured by counting the total number of peanut agglutinin (PNA) positive cells in eighty four 0.25 mm x 0.25 mm bins in each eye, distributed equally across the four quadrants of whole mount retinas from 3 month old p53+/+ and p53-/- rd retinas.

Results: Both the kinetics of rod and INL cell death as well as the survival of cones were essentially unaffected by the absence of p53.

Conclusions: Despite established links with retinal apoptosis, p53 is not essential for rod or cone cell degeneration in the rd mouse or for the elimination of bipolar and Muller cells during late retinal development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Count
  • Cell Survival
  • DNA Primers / chemistry
  • Genotype
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Peanut Agglutinin
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / metabolism
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / pathology*
  • Retina / growth & development
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / metabolism
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / pathology*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Peanut Agglutinin
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53