Experimental and clinical evidence of neuroprotection by nerve growth factor eye drops: Implications for glaucoma

Abstract

Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma causes loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and damage to the optic nerve. Although IOP is controlled pharmacologically, no treatment is available to restore retinal and optic nerve function. We evaluated the effects of NGF eye drops in a rat model of glaucoma. We also treated 3 patients with progressive visual field defects despite IOP control. Glaucoma was induced in rats through injection of hypertonic saline into the episcleral vein. Initially, 2 doses of NGF (100 and 200 g/mL) were tested on 24 rats, and the higher dose was found to be more effective. NGF ͉ optic nerve ͉ retina

The early effect of nerve growth factor in the management of serious optic nerve contusion

“…5 In the retina, nerve growth factor is produced and used by retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and bipolar neurons, as well as glial cells, in a local paracrine/autocrine fashion. Previous studies [5][6][7] showed that nerve growth factor can protect retinal ganglion cells. Lambiase and colleagues 7 reported that patients with advanced glaucoma treated with nerve growth factor eyedrops (200 mg/ml) four times daily for three months demonstrated long lasting improvements in visual field, optic nerve function, contrast sensitivity and visual acuity.…”

“…Previous studies [5][6][7] showed that nerve growth factor can protect retinal ganglion cells. Lambiase and colleagues 7 reported that patients with advanced glaucoma treated with nerve growth factor eyedrops (200 mg/ml) four times daily for three months demonstrated long lasting improvements in visual field, optic nerve function, contrast sensitivity and visual acuity. Meanwhile, nerve growth factor exerted neuroprotective effects, inhibiting apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells in animals with glaucoma.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] Nerve growth factor (NGF), the best known member of a small family of evolving neurotrophins, is a pleiotrophic factor that promotes the growth of sympathetic and somatic cholinergic nerves and the development and growth of neurosensory pathways. 5 Previous animal studies have shown that nerve growth factor has a protective effect against retinal and optic nerve degeneration, [6][7][8] however, it is unknown whether nerve growth factor can promote the recovery of optic nerve contusion. The present study investigated the early effect of nerve growth factor in the management of a small group of patients with serious optic nerve contusion.…”

Nerve Growth Factor and Sepsis

“…Yang et al reported that NGF applied after MCAO reduced apoptosis, and NGF's neuroprotective effect lasted up to five hours [74]. NGF eye drops applied to a rat model of experimental glaucoma improved the long-term function of the optic nerve, widened the visual field, and inhibited apoptosis in retinal ganglion cells [75].…”

Two Fates of Outstanding Women Researchers. (The 100th Anniversary of Prof. I.V.TORSKAYA and 106 Anniversary of Prof. R.LEVIMONTALCINI)

“…Подальші дослідження показали, що ФРНТ не є гормоном, який викликає тимчасову метаболічну реакцію. Він виявився раніше невідомим видом молекулярної речовини, необхідної для розвитку та виживання ви-сокодиференційованих клітин [28][29][30][31]. У наступні роки було винайдено і інші фактори росту, у тому числі епідермальний фактор росту, фактори-стимулятори колоній, фактор росту тромбоцитарного походження, фактор росту фібробластів та інтерлікіни (1 та 2) [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39].…”