Alpha 2-Macroglobulin Induces Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression Mediated by Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 1 in Müller Cells

BARCELONA PABLO; ORTIZ SUSANA; CHIABRANDO GUSTAVO; SÁNCHEZ MARÍA CECILIA

ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC

Año: 2011 vol. 52 p. 778 - 778

PURPOSE. Although it is known that Müller cells express theglial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in response to acute retinaldamage, the regulatory mechanism is not completely understood.a2-Macroglobulin (a2M) and its receptor, low-densitylipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), have also beenfound in injured retinas. Herein, the authors examined theinvolvement of the a2M/LRP1 system in GFAP expression inMu¨ller cells using in vitro and in vivo experimental models.METHODS. Using Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry,the authors evaluated the effect of a2M* on GFAP expressionin the Mu¨ller cell line MIO-M1, which constitutively expressesLRP1. Intracellular signaling pathways activated bya2M* were examined by Western blot analysis. The effect of2M* on GFAP expression in the mouse retina was examinedby intravitreal microinjection of a2M* in mouse eyes.RESULTS. These data demonstrat