title: Identification of Mesencephalic Astrocyte-Derived Neurotrophic Factor as a Novel Neuroprotective Factor for Retinal Ganglion Cells.
abstract: Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), a newly discovered secreted neurotrophic factor, has been proven to not only protect dopaminergic neurons and other cell types but also regulate neuroinflammation and the immune response to promote tissue repair and regeneration. However, to date, there is no information regarding the relationship between MANF and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the eye. In the current study, we first determined the expression of MANF in the retina and vitreous. Then, we examined the effect of MANF on RGCs using bothin vivoandin vitromodels and simultaneously explored the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms of MANF. Finally, we measured the concentrations of MANF in the vitreous of patients with different retinopathies. We demonstrated that MANF was highly expressed in RGCs and that exogenous MANF could protect RGCs from hypoxia-induced cell injury and apoptosis bothin vitroandin vivoby preventing endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, MANF can be detected in the vitreous humor, and the concentration changed under pathological conditions. Our results provide important evidence that MANF may be a potential therapeutic protein for a range of retinal pathologies in either the preclinical stage or after diagnosis to promote the survival of RGCs. Vitreous MANF may be a promising protein biomarker for the indirect assessment of retinal disorders, which could provide indirect evidence of retinal pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's HospitalShanghai, China; Eye and ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China.
authors.forename: Feng-Juan
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Eye and ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and RestorationShanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, Fudan UniversityShanghai, China.
authors.forename: Ji-Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Ting-Ting
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shan-Shan
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's HospitalShanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's HospitalShanghai, China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
keywords: endoplasmic reticulum stress; mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor; neuroprotective; retinal ganglion cells; retinal pathology