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[Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene in retina following vitreous tap]
T Sakai1, T Yoshitoshi, M Kawagoe
1Department of Ophthalmology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Japan.
Purpose:
Mechanical injuries to the retina following vitreous tap are reported to protect photoreceptor cells in a rat model of the retinal degeneration and enhance the survival rate of retinal ganglion cells in the optic nerve transection. Neurotrophic factors are presumably involved in the protective mechanisms. In order to see whether neurotrophic factors are synthesized in the retina, we studied the expression of neurotrophic factors in the retina following vitreous tap in rats.
Materials And Methods:
One eye each of 20 mature rats received transscleral vitreous taps at three points of entry and retinal injury. The retinas were removed and examined at day 0 to 14 of treatment.
Results:
Following injury, the retina showed increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mRNA and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA. There was no enhancement of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) mRNA when examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Conclusions:
Activated retinal glial cells may produce BDNF which prevents retinal neuronal cell damage following injury.