Differential expression and bioinformation analysis of retinal proteins in mice with experimental autoimmune uveitis

Objective

To observe the expression of retinal proteins in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) mice and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of autoimmune uveitis.

Methods

Twelve female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into model group and normal control group, 6 mice in each group.In the model group, the EAU model was established by subcutaneous injection of human interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) 651-670.The fundal change of EAV mice was assessed by direct ophthalmoscope, OCT and histopathological staining.At 18 days after immunization, the retinas of the two groups were taken for retinal protein extraction, protein restriction enzyme digestion, mass spectrometry detection, data analysis, and bioinformatics analysis.This study was approved by the experimental animal Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (TJYY2018070113). The feeding and use of experimental animals follow the ARVO statement.

Results

The EAU mouse model was successfully established.At 10 days after immunitation, the retina of EAV mouse was damaged.At 18 days after immunization, retinal edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells into vitreous were observed.Proteomic results showed that a total of 4 458 proteins were identified in this study, of which 522 were differentially-expressed proteins (fold change>1.5, P<0.05). Among these differentially-expressed proteins, 147 proteins including Stat1 and Stat3 were up-regulated and 375 proteins including Gucy2f and Rho were down-regulated.These differentially-expressed proteins were closely related to platelet activation, integrin signaling, T cell activation, the phototransduction cascade, Toll-like receptor and so on.

Conclusions

EAU is related to the abnormal expression of Stat1, Stat3 and other proteins, as well as the abnormal regulation of platelet activation and integrin signal pathway.