title: Müller Cells as a source of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the retina: noradrenaline upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in cultured rat Müller cells.
abstract: Müller cells, the predominant glial cells in the retina, are thought to play important roles in the survival of retinal neurons. Previous studies have demonstrated that Müller cells express brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has a pronounced neurotrophic effect on retinal ganglion cells. In this study, we investigated whether Müller cells express and release BDNF in culture. Reverse transcriptase-PCR, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting revealed that Müller cells produce BDNF mRNA and protein. Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, BDNF protein levels in Müller cells and their conditioned medium were quantified, demonstrating that Müller cells produce and release high levels of BDNF. Noradrenaline administration caused an upregulation of BDNF mRNA and protein expression by cultured Müller cells. These results suggest that Müller cells may act as an endogenous source of BDNF in the retina. Furthermore, induction of BDNF expression by adrenergic agonists may provide a therapeutic approach to retinal neurodegenerative disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, 1-757 Asahimachi, 951-8585, Nigata, Nigata, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seki
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukuchi
authors.forename: Haruki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nawa
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000737:chemistry; D027341:Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D027341:Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C493392:Slc1a3 protein, rat; D009638:Norepinephrine