Zadro-Lamoureux, Laura2013-11-072013-11-0720092009Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 48-01, page: 0302.http://hdl.handle.net/10393/28142http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-12408Retinal detachments cause photoreceptor apoptosis. XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis) inhibits caspases-3, -7, and -9, which prevents the apoptotic cascade. This study evaluates XIAP gene therapy as a means to provide photoreceptor neuroprotection following retinal detachment. Subretinal injections of virally-delivered XIAP or green fluorescent protein (GFP; injection control) were performed in rats. Two weeks later, retinal detachments were created at the viral injection site. Eyes were harvested 24 hours post-detachment to analyze caspase activity and at 3 days and 2 months for histological analysis. Caspase assays indicated rises in caspase-3 and -9 activities in detached GFP-treated retinas, whereas XIAP-treated retinas behaved comparably to attached controls. Three day TUNEL analysis showed less apoptosis in XIAP-treated detachments. Two month histology confirmed preservation of photoreceptors in XIAP-treated detachments, whereas GFP-treated detached retinas had deteriorated significantly. The results suggest that XIAP confers structural photoreceptor neuroprotection for at least two months following retinal detachment.82 p.enBiology, Molecular.Thesis