Abstract
Glaucoma (GL) is an optic neuropathy characterized by progressive loss of visual field due to retinal cell death and optic nerve (ON) degeneration, usually in response to abnormal elevated intraocular pressure (EIOP). It has previously demonstrated that cells of the ON express nerve growth factor (NGF) and NGF-receptors. Relatively little is known, however, about their role on the ON of the glaucomatous eye. The aim of the study was to elucidate this aspect. Using a rat model of GL we investigated the response of NGF and NGF-receptors in the ON of subjects with experimentally induced EIOP. Our results show that EIOP significantly impairs the presence of NGF and NGF-receptor proteins and TrkA gene expression in the ON of glaucomatous eye. These findings suggest that NGF and NGF-receptor might be important signals for the ON response in the EIOP.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Analysis of Variance
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Animals
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Blotting, Western
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Disease Models, Animal
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Glaucoma / chemically induced
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Glaucoma / pathology
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Glaucoma / physiopathology*
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Immunohistochemistry
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Intraocular Pressure / drug effects
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Intraocular Pressure / physiology
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Male
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Microscopy, Electron
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Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
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Optic Nerve / metabolism*
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Optic Nerve / pathology
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Optic Nerve / ultrastructure
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism
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Receptor, trkA / genetics*
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Receptor, trkA / metabolism
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Retinal Ganglion Cells / metabolism
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Retinal Ganglion Cells / pathology
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Retinal Ganglion Cells / ultrastructure
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Saline Solution, Hypertonic / administration & dosage
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Saline Solution, Hypertonic / toxicity
Substances
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Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
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Saline Solution, Hypertonic
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Nerve Growth Factor
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Receptor, trkA