Effect of exogenous administration of nerve growth factor in the retina of rats with inherited retinitis pigmentosa

Vision Res. 2005 Jun;45(12):1491-500. doi: 10.1016/j.visres.2004.12.020.

Abstract

NGF is implicated in retinal damage regression. To study whether this is a direct effect or an effect mediated by NGF on other endogenous biological mediators, we investigated the effect of exogenous administration of NGF in RCS rats affected by retinitis pigmentosa. We found that NGF administration exerts a rescue effect on photoreceptors in this animal model. NGF injection enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor, beta-fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, vascular endothelial factor and neuropeptide-Y. This suggests that NGF has an effect on RCS rat retina, probably also through the stimulation of other biological mediators produced and released in the retina.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / analysis
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / analysis
  • Needles
  • Nerve Growth Factor / immunology
  • Nerve Growth Factor / pharmacology*
  • Neuropeptide Y / analysis
  • Photoreceptor Cells / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptor, trkA / analysis
  • Retina / drug effects*
  • Retina / metabolism
  • Retinal Vessels / drug effects
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / analysis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / analysis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Eye Proteins
  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptor, trkA