RNAseq quantitative analysis of ion channel mRNA expression in microbead occlusion model

The purpose of this study was to utilize RNAseq to determine if there are changes in ion channel mRNA expression in the retina of C57BL/6 mice subjected to the Microbead Occlusion Model. Whole retina was isolated from 2 month old mice that received intracameral injections of either saline or 15-um-diameter microbeads. Total RNA was isolated from the retinas and subjected to RNA sequencing using Illumina HiSeq 2500. Fold change in mRNA expression was compared between saline- and microbead-injected samples. We then analyzed these data for changes in expression of potassium channels, such as tandem-pore domain K+ channels, inwardly rectifying K+ channels, and the Na+/K+-ATPase. Retinal mRNA profiles of saline- and microbead-injected C57BL/6 mice were generated by whole genome sequencing using Illumina NovaSeq6000