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Apoptotic mechanisms within the retina in Staphylococcus epidermidis experimental endophthalmitis

  • Inflammatory Disorders
  • Published:
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Abstract

Aim

To investigate the potential involvement of apoptosis and its regulators Bcl-2, Bax, and Fas within the retina in Staphylococcus epidermidis experimental endophthalmitis.

Methods

Endophthalmitis was induced in 48 male Lewis rats by unilateral 25-μl intravitreal injection of 7,000 viable organisms of slime-producing S. epidermidis strain ATCC 35983 (experimental group). Forty-eight other Lewis rats received a similar sterile normal saline injection (control group). The injected eyes were graded for clinical inflammation and were removed in groups at 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours post-injection. After surgical separation, retinal tissue specimens were fixed, and paraffin sections underwent hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry against Bcl-2, Bax, and Fas, and TUNEL assay for detection of apoptotic cells. Following morphometric analysis, the apoptotic body index (ABI) was calculated.

Results

While Bcl-2 expression was absent, Bax and Fas expression and apoptosis in ganglion cells, bipolar cells, and photoreceptors, were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In the experimental group, inflammation peaked at 24 hours, Bax and Fas expression at 48 hours and the ABI at 72 hours post-injection.

Conclusion

Apoptosis is increased within the retina in S. epidermidis experimental endophthalmitis through upregulation of Bax and Fas, peaking soon after peak inflammation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece

    Nikolaos M. Pharmakakis, Constantine D. Georgakopoulos & Chrysoula V. Vantzou

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

    Ioannis K. Petropoulos

  3. Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece

    Evangelos D. Anastassiou

  4. Department of Orthodontics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

    Anestis Mavropoulos

  5. Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece

    Vassiliki Zolota

  6. 5 Achaias street, Kastellokampos, GR-26504, Patras, Greece

    Nikolaos M. Pharmakakis

Authors
  1. Nikolaos M. Pharmakakis
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  2. Ioannis K. Petropoulos
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  3. Constantine D. Georgakopoulos
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  4. Chrysoula V. Vantzou
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  5. Evangelos D. Anastassiou
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  6. Anestis Mavropoulos
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  7. Vassiliki Zolota
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Correspondence to Nikolaos M. Pharmakakis.

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Pharmakakis, N.M., Petropoulos, I.K., Georgakopoulos, C.D. et al. Apoptotic mechanisms within the retina in Staphylococcus epidermidis experimental endophthalmitis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 247, 667–674 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-008-0996-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-008-0996-z

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