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Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System
12:06

Optic Nerve Transection: A Model of Adult Neuron Apoptosis in the Central Nervous System

Published on: May 12, 2011

Apoptosis in the developing visual system

A Cellerino1, M Bähr, S Isenmann

  • 1Istituto di Neurofisiologia del CNR, Pisa, Italy.

Cell and Tissue Research
|August 6, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Programmed cell death in the nervous system involves caspases and Bcl-2 family proteins. Inhibiting Bax or caspase 3 promotes retinal ganglion cell survival after injury.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is crucial for nervous system development.
  • Key regulators include caspases, Bcl-2 family proteins, and neurotrophic factors.
  • Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) serve as a model for studying neuronal apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of apoptosis regulators in RGCs within the retinotectal system.
  • To explore the impact of injury on RGC apoptosis and survival.
  • To examine the function of neurotrophins in RGC development and survival.

Main Methods:

  • Review of transgenic animal models and expression studies.
  • Analysis of RGC apoptosis and survival mechanisms.
  • Investigation of neurotrophin effects on RGCs.

Main Results:

  • Caspases, Bcl-2, Bax, and Bcl-X are essential for RGC apoptosis control.
  • Bax and caspase 3 expression increase in RGCs post-injury.
  • Inhibiting Bax or caspase 3 enhances injured RGC survival.
  • Neurotrophins offer transient survival support to injured RGCs.

Conclusions:

  • Bax and caspase 3 are critical for RGC apoptosis, with therapeutic potential.
  • Neurotrophins primarily influence topographic refinement through selective RGC elimination.
  • Understanding these pathways is key for neuroprotection and developmental studies.

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