Caspase-1 gene expression has been reported to be upregulated during light-induced retinal degeneration and to be reduced after neuroprotective treatments. Thus, caspase-1 may be proapoptotic in the retina. To test directly the role of caspase-1 in photoreceptor apoptosis, three mouse models were analyzed for retinal degeneration in the presence or absence of caspase-1.
Laboratory for Retinal Cell Biology, Department of Ophthalmology, Center for Integrative Human Physiology (CIHP), Neuroscience Center Zürich (ZNZ), University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
