Possible involvement of a fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9)-FGF receptor-3-mediated pathway in adult pig retinal ganglion cell survival in vitro.
The expression and potential roles of fibroblast growth factors (FGF) and their cognate FGF receptors (FGFR) in adult mammalian retinal ganglion cells (RGC) are poorly known. We show that FGFR-3 and FGFR-4 are especially pronounced on RGC and amacrine cell bodies in adult pig inner retinae both in vivo and in vitro. Western blotting revealed distinct profiles for each receptor. Expression of each FGFR and effects of the preferred ligand for FGFR-3, FGF9, upon RGC survival and neurite outgrowth were examined in primary retinal cell cultures: whereas there was no stimulation of neuritogenesis, RGC survival was promoted in a dose-dependent manner (ED(50) approximately 500 pg/ml, mean maximal increase of 60%) and could be completely blocked by addition of FGF9 neutralising antibody. Experiments with three additional FGF (FGF1, FGF2, and FGF4) showed no stimulation of RGC survival above control levels. Taken together, these data suggest that the ligand-receptor couple FGF9-FGFR-3 may function to promote survival of adult mammalian RGC, and their application might be beneficial in retinal degenerative diseases such as glaucoma.
Kinkl
Norbert
N
Institut für Humangenetik, GSF Forschungszentrum, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg, D-85764, Germany.
Ruiz
Javier
J
Vecino
Elena
E
Frasson
Maria
M
Sahel
José
J
Hicks
David
D
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D051525:Fibroblast Growth Factor 9; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013552:Swine
D051525:Fibroblast Growth Factor 9; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3