The effect of A 2A receptor antagonist (SCH 442416) on the mRNA expression of Kir 2.1 and Kir 4.1 channels in rat retinal Müller cells under hypoxic conditions in vitro.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the situation of inwardly rectifying potassium channels Kir 2.1 and Kir 4.1 under hypo-xic conditions, and whether the A2A  receptor antagonist could modulate the mRNA expression of Kir 2.1 and Kir 4.1 channels in retinal Müller cells in vitro under hypoxic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS Müller cells were treated with 0.1 1, 10 and 100 µM of A2A  receptor antagonist (SCH 442416) under hypoxic conditions for 24 h, and the expression of the Kir 2.1 and Kir 4.1 mRNA channels was examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS There were no significant changes in the mRNA expression of the Kir 2.1 or Kir 4.1 channels under hypoxic conditions compared with normal conditions after 24 h cultured in vitro. The mRNA expression of Kir 2.1 and Kir 4.1 channels treated with 0.1 µM SCH 442416 under hypoxic conditions were increased, but at higher concentrations of SCH 442416, the mRNA expression of the Kir 2.1 and Kir 4.1 channels decreased. CONCLUSIONS The A2A  receptor antagonist (SCH 442416) could increase mRNA expression of the Kir 2.1and Kir 4.1 channels in Müller cells to protect the retinal neurons in vitro under hypoxic conditions.