Expression of Genes in Müller Cells Using an Experimental Model of Retinal Hypoxia.

INTRODUCTION

Müller glial cells typically activate to react to hypoxic tissue damage in several retinal diseases. We evaluated the response to a hypoxia-mimicking stimulus on the expression of a set of genes, known to contribute to eye morphogenesis and cell differentiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A MIO-M1 Müller cell line was cultured in a hypoxia-mimicking environment by the addition of cobalt chloride to the culture medium, followed by a recovery time in which we mimic restoration from the hypoxic insult. The HIF-1 protein and VEGF-A gene expression were quantified to verify the induction of a hypoxia-like state.

RESULTS

Among the genes under study, we did not observe any difference in the expression levels of and during treatment; conversely, was overexpressed during recovery steps. The VEGF-A gene was strongly upregulated at both the CoCl and recovery time points. The transactivated isoform (TA) of the gene showed an overexpression in long-term exposure to the hypoxic stimulus with a further increase after recovery. . Our molecular analysis is able to describe the activation of a set of genes, never before described, that can drive the response to a hypoxia-like status. The improved comprehension of these cellular events will be useful for designing new therapeutical approaches for retinal pathologies.