The Role of Connexin 36 Gap Junctions in Retinal Ganglion Cell Death After Corneal Alkali Burns.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

A corneal alkali burn can cause irreversible damage to both the cornea and retina. This study aims to investigate the role of the gap junction subunit connexin 36 (Cx36) in mediating secondary cell death and its impact on the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following ocular alkali burns, contributing to irreversible vision loss.

Methods

Corneal alkali burn models were established in C57BL/6J and Cx36 knockout (KO) mice by applying 1 M sodium hydroxide to the cornea. The gap junction blocker meclofenamic acid (MFA; 200 µM) was administered via intravitreal injection immediately after the corneal alkali burn. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess RGC survival, whereas patch-clamp recording evaluated the RGC function.

Results

In the mouse model, dysf

SUBMITTER: Qiu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12449816 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature