Figure 8. Changes in TNF and IL-18 expression after PEDF transfection in DBA/2J mice. A,B: Reduced TNF and IL-18 gene expression in retina and optic nerve, respectively, 4 months after AVV-PEDF transfection in DBA/2J mice. C: Graphical representation of 3 independent experiments in A and B normalized with GAPDH loading control. As compared with AAV-GFP, intravitreal injection of AAV-PEDF significantly reduced TNF and IL-18 expression in retina and optic nerve. D,E: Reduced expression of TNF and IL-18 protein in DBA/2J mice retina and optic nerve, respectively, at 4 months after AAV-PEDF transfection as compared with AAV-GFP. F: Densitometric analysis using actin as a loading control from 3 independent experiments in D and F shows a significant reduction of TNF and IL-18 protein expression. ON: optic nerve. Statistical analysis for these experiments was performed using unpaired Student’s t-test (the asterisk indicates a p<0.05).