Kurzfassung

In this study Lewis rats will be immunized with human Heat Shock Protein-27 (HSP27) and human Heat Shock Protein-60 (HSP60). Animals in group 1 (N=12) will be immunized with HSP27 and group 2 (N=12) will be immunized with HSP60. Group 3 (N=9) will receive a sham immunization with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Animals in group 4 (N=9) will serve a control group that receives no immunization.

Retinas will be isolated for flatmounts 16 weeks (and 24 weeks) after immunization. They will be used for...In this study Lewis rats will be immunized with human Heat Shock Protein-27 (HSP27) and human Heat Shock Protein-60 (HSP60). Animals in group 1 (N=12) will be immunized with HSP27 and group 2 (N=12) will be immunized with HSP60. Group 3 (N=9) will receive a sham immunization with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Animals in group 4 (N=9) will serve a control group that receives no immunization.

Retinas will be isolated for flatmounts 16 weeks (and 24 weeks) after immunization. They will be used for immunostaining (Brn-3). The retinal ganglion cells will be counted to determine the retinal ganglion cells loss in the immunized animals in comparison to the healthy control animals. Optic nerves will be collected to evaluate histological damage.
Conscious intraocular pressure (IOP) will be measured with the TonLab® before immunization and 4, 8, 12, and 15 weeks after immunization (and 23 weeks in 3 animals).
Fundus pictures will be taken in sedated animals (Ketamine and Xylazine) before immunization and 4, 8, 12, and 15 weeks after immunization (and 23 weeks in 3 animals).
Blood will be collected from all animals before immunization and 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after immunization (and 24 weeks in 3 animals). The serum samples will be used to analyze changes in the antibody and protein profile.
Aqueous humor will also be collected the day the eyes will be enucleated.

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