TY - JOUR AB - Erythropoietin-producing hepatocyte receptor B (EphB)/ephrinB reverse signaling has been revealed to be activated in chronic ocular hypertension (COH) by increasing the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). However, the exact mechanism is not well understood. The present study investigated the involvement of Ca2+ channels in the apoptosis of RGCs induced by EphB/ephrinB reverse signaling in a rat CHO model, which was established by cauterizing 3 out of the 4 episcleral veins. The expression levels of four voltage‑gated Ca2+ channel subunits (Cav3.1‑3.3 and Cav1.2) were detected using immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. TUNEL staining was performed to assess RGC apoptosis following an injection with the T type Ca2+ channel blocker. Ca2+ channels, mainly the T type, were upregulated in COH rat retinas when compared with the sham group (P<0.01). Additionally, the Cav3.2 subunit of T type calcium channels was predominantly expressed in Müller cells and RGCs, such as ephrinB2. Furthermore, an intravitreal injection of the Ca2+ channel blocker Mibefradil (3 µM) reduced EphB2‑fragment crystallizable region‑induced RGC apoptosis in normal rats. Thus, the results suggest that Ca2+ channels in a COH model may be a pathway involved in ephrinB/EphB signaling‑induced RGC apoptosis. AD - Central Laboratory, First People's Hospital of Jingzhou, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434000, P.R. China Department of Neurology, First People's Hospital of Jingzhou, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434000, P.R. China Department of Pathology, First People's Hospital of Jingzhou, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434000, P.R. China Nursing Department of Medical School of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei 434000, P.R. China AU - Dong,Lingdan AU - Cheng,Xianglin AU - Zhou,Long AU - Hu,Yanhong DA - 2018/02/01 DO - 10.3892/mmr.2017.8162 EP - 2471 IS - 2 JO - Mol Med Rep KW - calcium channel EphB/ephrinB reverse signaling glaucoma retinal ganglion cells chronic ocular hypertension apoptosis PY - 2018 SN - 1791-2997 1791-3004 SP - 2465 ST - Calcium channels are involved in EphB/ephrinB reverse signaling‑induced apoptosis in a rat chronic ocular hypertension model T2 - Molecular Medicine Reports TI - Calcium channels are involved in EphB/ephrinB reverse signaling‑induced apoptosis in a rat chronic ocular hypertension model UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.8162 VL - 17 ER -