Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

The Corneal Micropocket Assay: A Model of Angiogenesis in the Mouse Eye
Published on: August 16, 2014
The pro-fibrogenic effect of nerve growth factor on conjunctival fibroblasts is mediated by transforming growth
A Micera1, I Puxeddu, A Lambiase
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Background:
Nerve growth factor (NGF) and nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) expressions have been found to be increased in sub-conjunctival scarring.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of NGF on some pro-fibrogenic properties of human conjunctival fibroblasts.
Methods:
Expression of NGF, trkA(NGFR) and p75NTR on human fibroblasts grown from conjunctival biopsies and incubated for 2 or 6 days with NGF were evaluated by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, flow cytometry and ELISA. The fibrogenic effect of NGF on conjunctival fibroblasts was investigated by evaluating their migration (wound model), proliferation ([3H]-thymidine incorporation), collagen production (3H]-proline incorporation), expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) (cell surface ELISA) and contraction of 3D collagen gels.
Results:
NGF induced the expression of p75NTR in the fibroblasts that constitutively expressed only trkA(NGF) and increased the migration of wounded fibroblasts, but not their proliferation and collagen production. NGF induced the conversion of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts expressing alpha-SMA, and enhanced their contraction of a collagen matrix. Interestingly, chronic NGF treatment induced transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) production by fibroblasts, and following specific TGF-beta neutralization, all the NGF-induced effects were completely abrogated.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate that NGF, via TGF-beta induction, is likely to be involved in the healing or fibrotic processes occurring in conjunctiva during some pathological conditions.
More Related Videos
10:24Regenerative Therapy by Suprachoroidal Cell Autograft in Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration: Preliminary In Vivo Report
Published on: February 12, 2018
12:36A Human Corneal Organ Culture Model of Descemet's Stripping Only with Accelerated Healing Stimulated by Engineered Fibroblast Growth Factor 1
Published on: July 22, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Fibroblasts
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Fibronectins Connect Cells with ECM
Both proteoglycans and collagen are attached to fibronectin proteins, which, in turn, are attached to integrin proteins. These integrin proteins interact with transmembrane...
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Fibril-associated Collagen
For example, the type II collagen fibrils in cartilage have covalently bound type IX fibril-associated collagens at regular intervals. Other types of fibril-associated collagens are...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply