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Intraocular Production and Release of Nerve Growth Factor after Iridectomy

¹ From the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy; the ² Institute of Neurobiology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy; and the ³ Department of Ophthalmology, University of Milan "S. Raffaele," Milan, Italy.

PURPOSE. To determine the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF), NGF mRNA, and NGF receptor (TrkA) in rabbit ocular tissues, and whether changes occur in NGF and NGF mRNA levels after experimental iridectomy.

METHODS. Immunohistochemistry for NGF and TrkA and in situ hybridization for NGF mRNA were performed on rabbit cornea, iris, ciliary body, and lens in the basal state. Quantification of NGF mRNA and NGF protein levels in these tissues was performed by RT-PCR and immunoenzymatic assay, respectively. A time course of NGF concentration in the aqueous humor and the expression of NGF mRNA in iris and ciliary body were performed after the iridectomy and were compared with levels in a sham-treated group (paracentesis).

RESULTS. Cornea, iris, ciliary body, and lens expressed NGF mRNA, NGF protein, and TrkA in the basal state. The highest levels of NGF were detected in the iris (8938.0 ± 3968.1 pg/g), and the lowest were in the aqueous humor (22.8 ± 9.7 pg/mL). Experimental iridectomy induced a transient increase of NGF concentration in the aqueous humor that reached its peak 4 hours after the experimental injury (464.4 ± 29.9 pg/mL versus the control group 101.6 ± 18.8 pg/mL; P < 0.001) and returned to baseline value after 7 days. A significant increase of NGF mRNA was also observed 1 hour and 4 hours after the iridectomy in the iris (1 hour, 788 ± 85 OD; 4 hours, 760 ± 81 OD versus baseline, 246 ± 32 OD; P < 0.0001) and ciliary body (1 hour, 330 ± 19 OD; 4 hours, 453 ± 52 OD versus baseline, 219 ± 37 OD; P < 0.05), but not in the cornea, lens, or any tissues from the control group.

CONCLUSIONS. NGF is present and produced in the anterior segment of the eye and is released in the aqueous humor in the basal state. Experimental iridectomy induces increased production of NGF in the iris and in the ciliary body and an increased concentration of NGF in the aqueous humor.

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