Bcl-2 proto-oncogene protein immunoreactivity in normally developing and axotomised rat retinas.

This study demonstrates immunocytochemically that bcl-2 (B cell lymphoma) proto-oncogene protein is expressed by two populations of retinal cells, one in the inner retina representing developing neurons or glia at perinatal stages, and the other identified as Müller cells from postnatal day 10 onward. An increase in bcl-2 immunoreactivity was detected in the Müller cell processes after neonatal optic tract lesion or optic nerve transection in adult rats. These results suggest that bcl-2 protein may function on cellular differentiation, maturation and homeostasis in the inner retina, and its expression by Müller cells can be up-regulated by the degeneration of ganglion cells.