Trophic Factors Produced by Retinal Cells Increase the Survival of Retinal Ganglion Cells In Vitro

Abstract

The naturally occurring neuron death of normal development has been shown to depend on trophic factors produced and released by target cells. It has also been shown that the afferent supply and local interactions play a role in the control of this degenerative phenomenon. We studied the effect of trophic factors produced by intrinsic retinal cells on the survival of retinal ganglion cells in vitro. Retinae of newborn hooded rats were retrogradely labelled with horseradish peroxidase injected into the superior colliculus to permit the identification of retinal ganglion cells in culture. We tested the effect of conditioned media either from aggregates or from explants of retinal cells from neonatal rats on the survival of ganglion cells in vitro. Our results showed that both conditioned media increased the survival of these cells. The trophic activity was dose-dependent, was maintained after dialysis against a 12 kDa membrane, was abolished by heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min, and was not found in conditioned medium from cerebral cortical explants. Conditioned medium obtained without fetal calf serum presented the same trophic effect. These results suggest that the local control of developmental neuron death by intrinsic retinal cells may be mediated by neurotrophic factors.

Veratridine increases the survival of retinal ganglion cells in vitro

“…Neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor or brainderived neurotrophic factor among others are essential for the maintenance of neuronal survival during certain stages of development (4). Previous studies have shown that developing retinal cells release trophic factors that maintain the survival of retinal ganglion cells (5). It has also been shown that neurotrophic factors are able to rescue neurons in the adult stage (6).…”

Contributions of the Optic Tectum and the Retina as Sources of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor for Retinal Ganglion Cells in the Chick Embryo

“…Besides the target, local sources also provide trophic support to RGC (de Araujo and Linden, 1993;Linden, 1994;AryPires et al, 1997), yet the factor or factors involved have not been identified. One strong candidate is BDNF (Cohen-Cory et al, 1996).…”

Conditioned medium from activated spleen cells supports the survival of rat retinal cells in vitro

“…Primary cultures were prepared using procedures previously described (11). Briefly, Lister Hooded rats at postnatal day 1 or 2 were killed by decapitation and the retinas were dissected free from scleral tissue and pigmented epithelium in calcium-and magnesium-free balanced salt solution (CMF).…”

“…Strong evidence suggests that the development of retinal cells is regulated by cell-cell contacts and by diffusible mol- ecules (4,11,18).…”