Lack of the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) exacerbates retinopathy of prematurity in Mice

Abstract

PURPOSE. Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) is highly expressed during normal retinal maturation; however, its role in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is not fully understood. We postulated that GPx1 plays an important role in protecting the premature retina from oxidative injury in a mouse model of ROP. METHODS. ROP was induced in wild-type (WT) and GPx1 knockout (KO) mice by exposing neonatal mice to 75% oxygen from postnatal days 7 to 11, followed by 1 week of room air. Structural effects of ROP were evaluated by retinal histology, and gene expression of retinal pro-angiogenic factors was measured by qRT-PCR. RESULTS. Retinas from ROP GPx1 KO mice had a significantly larger central avascula..