Transplantation of syngeneic Schwann cells to the retina of the rhodopsin knockout (rho(-/-)) mouse.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether subretinal Schwann cell transplantation can prolong the survival of photoreceptors in the rhodopsin knockout (rho(-/-)) mouse.


METHODS
Schwann cells were prepared from postnatal day (PN) 5 to 7 mouse pups and grafted subretinally into the eyes of PN35 rho(-/-) mice. RT-PCR was performed on similarly prepared cells to determine growth factor production in vitro. Eyes were retrieved at PN70 for anatomic and statistical analysis. Control animals received grafts of fibroblasts or sham surgery.


RESULTS
RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of message for ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the cultured Schwann cells. Schwann cell grafts produced a statistically significant rescue of photoreceptors in a restricted area of retina at PN70, but the effect was lost by PN140. Preserved inner segments could be identified, but outer segments were never present. Sham surgery also resulted in photoreceptor rescue but at a reduced level. Fibroblast grafts appeared to produce little or no rescue effect. Grafts of Schwann cells or fibroblasts and sham surgery induced a reactive Müller glial response.


CONCLUSIONS
Schwann cells can prolong photoreceptor survival in the rhodopsin knockout mouse until at least PN70.
Keegan
David J
DJ
Department of Pathology, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom. d.keegan@ucl.ac.uk
Kenna
Paul
P
Humphries
Marian M
MM
Humphries
Peter
P
Flitcroft
Daniel I
DI
Coffey
Peter J
PJ
Lund
Ray D
RD
Lawrence
Jean M
JM
D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002470:Cell Survival; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000637:transplantation; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000235:genetics*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology; D014185:Transplantation, Isogeneic
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; C495040:Gdnf protein, mouse; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012243:Rhodopsin