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(Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2006;47:2693-2700.)
© 2006 by The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.
DOI:  10.1167/iovs.05-1297
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Deletion of Smooth Muscle {alpha}-Actin Alters Blood–Retina Barrier Permeability and Retinal Function

James J. Tomasek,1 Carol J. Haaksma,1 Robert J. Schwartz,2 Duc T. Vuong,1 Sarah X. Zhang,3 John D. Ash,4 Jian-xing Ma,1,3 and Muayyad R. Al-Ubaidi1

1From the Departments of Cell Biology, 3Medicine, and 4Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and the 2Alkek Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M System Health Science Center, Houston, Texas.

PURPOSE. Vascular smooth muscle (SM) cells and pericytes are essential for normal vascular development. SM {alpha}-actin null mice were used to determine whether vascular SM and pericyte contractile functions, and not merely their presence, are necessary for vascular development, normal blood–retina barrier (BRB) permeability, and retinal function.

METHODS. Age-matched SM {alpha}-actin null and wild-type mice were analyzed. Retinal structure, vascular pattern, and SM cell and pericyte distribution were analyzed histologically. Retinal vascular permeability (RVP) was measured with the Evans blue dye method. Electroretinography (ERG) was performed to evaluate retinal function.

RESULTS. Deletion of SM {alpha}-actin did not result in any alterations in retinal morphology, vascular pattern, or SM cell and pericyte ensheathing of vessels in SM {alpha}-actin null mice. A significant increase in RVP was observed in SM {alpha}-actin null mice at both postnatal day (P)50 and P75 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). ERG analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in both rod and cone function in SM {alpha}-actin null mice at P22, P45, and P75 (P < 0.01 at all ages).

CONCLUSIONS. These results demonstrate that SM {alpha}-actin in SM cells and pericytes is not necessary for the formation of a normal retinal vascular pattern; however, SM {alpha}-actin is necessary for SM cells and pericytes to interact with endothelial cells to form a fully functional BRB. These results are important in understanding the role of contractile gene expression in the maintenance and function of the BRB and may provide a model for studying pathologic conditions, such as diabetes, that alter the function of this barrier.




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