Retinal Toxicity of Commercial Tissue Plasminogen Activator Is Mediated by the Induction of Nitric Oxide in the Mouse Retinal Primary Cells

Purpose: Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is an efficient thrombolytic agent, but the dose-dependent retinal toxicity of intravitreal injection of commercial tPA (containing l-arginine) has been reported. Here, we sought to investigate the mechanism of tPA-induced cell death in mouse retinal cell cultures and the role of nitric oxide (NO). Methods: Primary retinal cell cultures were maintained using glial conditioned medium (GCM) solution....