Brain-derived neurotrophic factor prevents dendritic retraction of adult mouse retinal ganglion cells.
We used cultured adult mouse retinae as a model system to follow and quantify the retraction of dendrites using diolistic labelling of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following explantation. Cell death was monitored in parallel by nuclear staining as 'labelling' with RGC and apoptotic markers was inconsistent and exceedingly difficult to quantify reliably. Nuclear staining allowed us to delineate a lengthy time window during which dendrite retraction can be monitored in the absence of RGC death. The addition of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) produced a marked reduction in dendritic degeneration, even when application was delayed for 3 days after retinal explantation. These results suggest that the delayed addition of trophic factors may be functionally beneficial before the loss of cell bodies in the course of conditions such as glaucoma.
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
Kate E
KE
Binley
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
Wai S
WS
Ng
School of Biosciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Yves-Alain
YA
Barde
School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
Bing
B
Song
School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
James E
JE
Morgan
D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016923:Cell Death; D003712:Dendrites / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents
Sholl analysis; neurodegeneration; neuron labelling; neuroprotection