Two classes of astrocytes in the adult human and pig retina in terms of their expression of high affinity NGF receptor (TrkA).
Astrocytes have been implicated in axon guidance and synaptic regeneration in the retina and these processes involve activation of the high affinity nerve growth factor receptor, known as the tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) receptor. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the expression of TrkA in astrocytes of the adult pig and human retina. To this end, sections of human and pig retinas were immunolabeled with a combination of antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and TrkA. Our study revealed that most of the GFAP-positive cells express TrkA, whereas a rare, novel subpopulation of astrocytes was found to be devoid of TrkA. Our results support the idea that astrocytes play an important neurotrophic role in the retina.
Ruiz-Ederra
Javier
J
Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Medicina y Odontología, Universidad del País Vasco, E-48940., Leioa, Spain.
Hitchcock
Peter F
PF
Vecino
Elena
E
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000378:metabolism*; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology*; D013552:Swine
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D020917:Receptor, trkA