Figure 3. Intravitreal ET-1 injection and
elevated intraocular pressure reduced AQP4 protein levels in rat
retinas. Following retinal injuries with ET-injection or elevation of
IOP, retinas were dissected and plasma membrane proteins were isolated.
Thirty microgram protein was loaded into each lane. A:
Immunoreactive bands for AQP4 and α-tubulin 2 days after intravitreal
injection of ET-1 showing a significant reduction in AQP4 protein
levels. Also, quantitative measurement using western blot showed that
elevation of IOP decreased AQP4 protein levels by ~ 30% (C).
Densitometric quantification is shown in B and D. Data
are expressed as a ratio of the control value and each column
represents mean±SEM. The asterisk denotes statistical significance of
AQP4 in ET-injected retinas versus control (p<0.05) and the double
asterisk denotes statistical significance of AQP4 in elevated
IOP-retinas versus control (p<0.001) as determined by one-way ANOVA
and Tukey multiple comparison test. Abbreviations: control eye (C),
ET-injected eye (E), and elevated IOP (T).