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A more recent version of this article appeared on June 1, 2008
 (Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. )
© 2008 by The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.
DOI:  10.1167/iovs.07-1325
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Article

BDNF Preserves the Dendritic Morphology of Alpha and Beta Ganglion Cells in the Cat Retina Following Optic Nerve Injury

Arthur J. Weber 1* and Christine D Harman 2

1 Physiology, Michigan State University, 2193 BPS, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, United States
2 Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: weberar{at}msu.edu.


  Abstract

PURPOSE. To examine whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a potent neuroprotectant in the mammalian retina, also plays a role in preserving the dendritic integrity of the surviving ganglion cells following optic nerve injury. METHODS. Single ganglion cells from cats with unilateral optic nerve crush and no treatment, or nerve crush combined with intravitreal treatment of the affected eye with BDNF, were labeled intracellularly, reconstructed using confocal microscopy, and compared quantitatively. RESULTS. Optic nerve injury produced a significant decrease in the soma, dendritic field size, and dendritic complexity of alpha cells. Beta cells also displayed a significant decrease in soma size, but their dendritic fields were not affected as severely as those of alpha cells. Intravitreal treatment of the eye with BDNF at the time of injury preserved the normal soma and dendritic morphologies of both alpha and beta cells. CONCLUSIONS. BDNF, in addition to promoting ganglion cell survival, also plays an important role in preserving the soma and dendritic morphologies of the surviving ganglion cells, a necessary precursor to maintaining normal visual function. Ganglion cells, however, are not created equal with respect to their responses to nerve injury, or treatment of the eye with BDNF. Thus, development of effective treatment strategies for preserving ganglion cell function in optic nerve-related diseases mandates a clearer understanding of the cellular response characteristics of the specific neurons involved.

Key Words: ganglion cell, neurotrophins, retinal degeneration, glaucoma, optic neuropathy




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Physiol.Home page
A. J. Weber, C. D. Harman, and S. Viswanathan
Effects of optic nerve injury, glaucoma, and neuroprotection on the survival, structure, and function of ganglion cells in the mammalian retina
J. Physiol., September 15, 2008; 586(18): 4393 - 4400.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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