Fig. 8
SiO2 NPs cause apoptosis in rat retinas. Retinal sections were prepared as described in Fig. 6. At 1 d (A), 7 d (B), and 14 d (C) after SiO2 NP injection, the retinas were analyzed by TUNEL assay (red = TUNEL; blue = DAPI). TUNEL-stained cells were observed in the GCL, INL, and ONL (orange arrows). Representative TUNEL staining images are shown in the upper panel. The bar graph depicts the mean percentages of apoptotic cells. *p < 0.05 compared to the sham group. Scale bar: 100 μm