TNF- -Induced Optic Nerve Degeneration and Nuclear Factor- B p65

METHODS. Groups of rats were euthanatized at 1 day, 1 or 2 weeks, or 1 or 2 months after intravitreal injection of TNF. Morphometric analyses of neurofilamentor Thy-1-positive cells, retinal ganglion cells (flat preparations stained with cresyl violet or retrograde labeling with a neurotracer), the number of axons, immunostaining for myelin basic protein, and TUNEL assays were performed. Levels of NFB p65 protein in retina and optic nerve were determined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS ODN) against NFB p65 and helenalin, an inhibitor of NFB p65 activation, on TNF-induced optic nerve degeneration were determined by counting the number of axons.