Comparison of neuroglobin distribution and expression between the retina of the adult Bactrian camel, rabbits and sheep

Abstract

Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a kind of protein largely expressed in the brain and retina of mammals. Numerous studies have reported on Ngb expression and distribution in mammals but none have compared the expression in the adult Bactrian camel, rabbits, and sheep. The study examined the distribution and expression of Ngb between the retina of adult Bactrian camel, rabbits, and sheep and provides detailed insight on the morphology of these mammals’ retinae. The immunohistochemical staining procedures were performed to detect Ngb distribution and its expression in the retinae of the adult Bactrian camel, rabbits, and sheep. The results showed that strong positive Ngb expression was found in all layers of the Bactrian camel except the outer nuclear layer, while in the rabbit retina, the strong positive expression was observed in the cortex of the optic nerve fiber layer, the retina cells layer, the network layer, the photoreceptor inner segment, and the pigment, while weak positive expression was shown in the retina of the kernel layer, outside the outer nuclear layer of the retina and the light receptor section. In the adult sheep retina, Ngb was solely expressed in the nerve fiber layer, inner and outer plexiform layer, optic nerve, inner and outer limiting membrane, and photoreceptor inner segment, while weak positive expression was shown in the ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer. There exist no Ngb positive expression in the photoreceptor outer segment, the outer nuclear layer, and retinal pigment epithelium of the adult sheep retina. The study documented that Ngb may have a significant function in the maintenance of retinal oxygen homeostasis and participation in the repair of light damage. The study also provided detailed references for Ngb physiological function and its relationship to extreme environmental conditions