Glaucoma alters the expression of NGF and NGF receptors in visual cortex and geniculate nucleus of rats: effect of eye NGF application.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of glaucoma (GL) on nerve growth factor (NGF) presence in two brain visual areas. Rats with elevated intraocular pressure (EIOP), induced by hypertonic saline injection in the episcleral vein, were treated with eye topical application of saline or NGF. Rats were subsequently sacrificed, and brain tissues were used for immunohistochemical, biochemical, and molecular analyses. We found that GL alters the basal level of NGF and NGF receptors in brain visual centers and that NGF eye application normalized these deficits. These findings demonstrate that the reduced presence of NGF can arise due to degenerative events in retinal and brain visual areas.

• Authors: Valentina Sposato, Vincenzo Parisi, Luigi Manni, Maria Teresa Antonucci, Veronica Di Fausto, Federica Sornelli, Luigi Aloe
• Journal: Vision research (Vision Res) Vol. 49 Issue 1 Pg. 54-63 (Jan 2009) ISSN: 1878-5646 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18938194 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
• Nerve Growth Factor
• Receptor, trkA

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Animals
• Blotting, Western (methods)
• Geniculate Bodies (chemistry, metabolism)
• Glaucoma (metabolism)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Male
• Models, Animal
• Nerve Growth Factor (analysis, metabolism, pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Receptor, trkA (analysis, metabolism)
• Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor (analysis, metabolism)
• Visual Cortex (chemistry, metabolism)