The transcription factor c-jun is activated in retinal ganglion cells in experimental rat glaucoma

Abstract

This study investigates the role of the MAP kinase pathway including c-jun, ATF-2 and JNK in glaucomatous eyes of rats and in optic nerve transection. Glaucoma was induced in one eye of 51 adult Wistar rats by laser treatment to the trabecular meshwork. Eighteen further rats underwent unilateral optic nerve transection. We studied the transcription factor c-jun, its activated form, phospho-c-jun, the transcription factor p-ATF-2, and the enzyme JNK by immunohistochemistry. The activation of p-c-jun was also investigated using western blot analysis. Treated and control eyes were compared in a masked way at multiple time points after injury. We found a statistically significant increase in imm..