神经营养素家族因子对视网膜神经细胞保护作用的研究进展

现有大量研究表明神经营养素家族因子对视网膜神经细胞具有重要的保护作用。在所有家族成员中,神经生长因子能够有效保护视网膜光感受器细胞;阻断视网膜神经节细胞中神经生长因子与受体p75的结合,可以抑制神经节细胞的凋亡。脑源性神经营养因子可以防止光感受器细胞变性,增强光感受器细胞损伤后的修复。在刺激神经节细胞轴突生长和突触形成方面,脑源性神经营养因子、神经营养素-3及神经营养素-4/5均具有显著效应。通过对神经营养素家族因子的研究,了解其作用机制,以期能够应用于视网膜神经细胞变性及损伤性疾病的治疗中。     

细胞因子对视网膜变性疾病防治作用的研究进展

视网膜变性疾病是严重的致盲性眼病,感光细胞的凋亡是其主要表现。细胞因子是机体组织细胞合成和分泌的小分子多肽类因子,参与多种细胞生理功能的调节,减少细胞的凋亡。随着对各种细胞因子,特别是神经营养因子作用机理的不断阐明,越来越多的研究发现外源性的给予或内源性的诱发其表达,对于变性视网膜光感受器的保护是有积极作用的。本文将近年来用于视网膜变性疾病方面研究的神经营养因子和部分非神经营养因子类细胞因子,包括神经生长因子、睫状神经营养因子、脑源性神经生长因子、碱性成纤维生长因子、神经营养因子-3、促红细胞生成素等作一综述。     

脑源性神经营养因子与视网膜神经节细胞

脑源性神经营养因子作为神经营养因子家族中的重要成员，广泛分布于中枢神经系统。视神经与视网膜是中枢神经系统的一部分，视网膜神经节细胞在视觉通路中起着重要的传导作用。脑源性神经营养因子作为一种靶源性神经营养因子和顺行性神经营养因子，在视网膜神经节细胞的生长发育过程中起重要调控作用，同时对损伤的视网膜神经节细胞有促进其存活及轴突生长的作用。     

脑源性神经营养因子与视网膜神经节细胞

脑源性神经营养因子作为神经营养因子家族中的重要成员,广泛分布于中枢神经系统。视神经与视网膜是中枢神经系统的一部分,视网膜神经节细胞在视觉通路中起着重要的传导作用。脑源性神经营养因子作为一种靶源性神经营养因子和顺行性神经营养因子,在视网膜神经节细胞的生长发育过程中起重要调控作用,同时对损伤的视网膜神经节细胞有促进其存活及轴突生长的作用。     

睫状神经营养因子对视神经损伤修复作用研究进展

视神经损伤后,视网膜神经节细胞进行性损害,轴突变性坏死,再生困难.睫状神经营养因子是一种非靶源性神经营养因子,在视网膜神经节细胞的生长发育中起重要作用,同时对损伤的视网膜神经节细胞有促进存活及轴突再生的作用.     

细胞因子对视神经损伤修复作用的研究进展

创伤、代谢、高眼压等多种因素均可能造成视网膜神经节细胞和或视神经损伤，而视网膜神经节细胞损伤凋亡后无法自主再生，因此往往会造成视力下降甚至丧失等严重后果。对于视神经损伤，目前临床上尚无非常有效的治疗方法。近年有研究发现细胞因子可以明显促进视网膜神经节细胞的存活和轴突再生。本文就其中睫状神经营养因子、胶质源性神经营养因子、色素上皮衍生因子、粒细胞集落刺激因子、血浆凝血因子、促红细胞生成素等几种细胞因子促进视神经损伤修复作用的研究进展进行综述。     

视网膜神经细胞生长发育中相关诱导因素的研究进展

视网膜神经细胞在生长发育过程中受多种因素影响，涉及神经细胞间、神经细胞与基质间、神经细胞和细胞外因子之间作用的复杂过程。脑源性神经营养因子和胶质细胞源性神经营养因子等神经营养因子在神经细胞发育中能够促进细胞存活和增殖，保护神经细胞功能；成纤维细胞生长因子和血小板源性生长因子等细胞因子对细胞生长有直接或间接作用，介导和调节细胞的生物学效应，改变微环境平衡，对视网膜神经细胞生长、分化和凋亡有着促进或抑制作用。[眼科新进展2007；27（2）：146—149]     

视网膜细胞凋亡及其调控的研究进展

细胞凋亡与视网膜变性疾病、视网膜脱离和青光眼等多种眼病中视网膜光感受器细胞和神经节细胞等的死亡有密切关系,是视功能丧失的主要原因。神经营养因子通过调控凋亡通路,从而对视网膜细胞产生保护作用。我们综述了视网膜细胞凋亡及其调控以及神经营养因子对凋亡调控的影响在视功能丧失方面的研究进展。     

神经营养因子治疗视网膜色素变性的研究进展

目前为止发现了30余种视网膜色素变性（RP）的致病相关基因,发病机制研究提示凋亡可能是它们引起光感受器细胞萎缩的共同病理途径.神经营养因子是一类对神经系统的分化、发育,对神经元的存活,轴突再生均有重要作用的细胞因子.它们可能通过调控视网膜光感受器细胞的凋亡过程起到神经保护作用,有望成为治疗RP的有效药物.本文对近年来神经营养因子的光感受器保护作用、给药途径、治疗机制、副作用等方面的研究状况进行综述,其中基因工程改造的神经营养因子和基因修饰细胞半透膜埋植系统的研究取得了进展.     

生长因子与视网膜神经节细胞

视网膜神经节细胞（ＲＧＣｓ）是青光眼的主要损伤细胞，ＲＧＣｓ的死亡常导致视功能发生不可逆性损害。新近研究的某些生长因子能促进ＲＧＣｓ的存活和轴突再生。本文着重介绍了神经生长因子（ＮＧＦ）、脑源性神经营养因子（ＢＤＮＦ）、神经营养蛋白－３（ＮＴ－３）、ＮＴ－４／５、睫状神经营养因子（ＣＮＴＦ）、成纤维细胞生长因子（ＦＧＦ）及靶源性生长因子等对ＲＧＣｓ的作用，为ＲＧＣｓ的实验研究和临床研究提供基础。     

In vivo expression of neurotrophins and neurotrophin receptors is conserved in adult porcine retina in vitro

PURPOSE. To characterize and compare the expression of neurotrophins (NTs) and their receptors within adult porcine retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in vivo and in vitro. METHODS. The distribution of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and -4 (NT-4), and their high-affinity receptors TrkA, TrkB, TrkC and low-affinity receptor p75, was analyzed in adult porcine retinal sections by immunohistochemistry. In addition, adult porcine retinas were dissociated and cultured in four different conditions: control, semipure RGCs, supplemented with BDNF, or seeded on Müller glia feeder layers. Double immunostaining was performed with antibodies to NTs or their receptors combined with neurofilament antibody to identify RGCs in culture. RESULTS. In vivo, immunolabeling of NGF was very faint, BDNF was especially prominent in RGCs and inner nuclear layer cells, NT-3 stained widespread nuclei, and NT-4 was undetectable. TrkA immunoreactivity was visible in the nerve fiber layer, TrkB staining was within RGC bodies, TrkC was undetectable, and p75 was widely expressed across the retina, within the Müller glia. Expression of neurotrophins and their receptors was maintained in all four models of adult RGCs in vitro, showing that expression was not influenced by substrate or culture conditions. We observed prominent staining of TrkA within growth cones, and a clear expression of p75 within a subpopulation of RGCs in vitro. CONCLUSIONS. These findings demonstrate that the expression of NTs and their receptors within adult porcine RGCs is maintained in vitro, under conditions of limited interaction with neighboring neurons and deprived of afferent inputs and target tissue. TrkA may be involved in regeneration of nerve terminals.     

CNTF, not other trophic factors, promotes axonal regeneration of axotomized retinal ganglion cells in adult hamsters

PURPOSE: To investigate the in vivo effects of trophic factors on the axonal regeneration of axotomized retinal ganglion cells in adult hamsters. METHODS: The left optic nerve was transected intracranially or intraorbitally, and a peripheral nerve graft was apposed or sutured to the axotomized optic nerve to enhance regeneration. Trophic factors were applied intravitreally every 5 days. Animals were allowed to survive for 3 or 4 weeks. Regenerating retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were labeled by applying the dye Fluoro-Gold to the distal end of the peripheral nerve graft 3 days before the animals were killed. RESULTS: Intravitreal application of ciliary neurotrophic factor substantially enhanced the regeneration of damaged axons into a sciatic nerve graft in both experimental conditions (intracranial and intraorbital optic nerve transections) but did not increase the survival of distally axotomized RGCs. Basic fibroblast growth factor and neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3, and neurotrophin-4/5 failed to enhance axonal regeneration of distally axotomized RGCs. CONCLUSIONS: Neurons of the adult central nervous system can regenerate in response to trophic supply after injury, and ciliary neurotrophic factor is at least one of the trophic factors that can promote axonal regeneration of axotomized RGCs.     

Depletion of optineurin in RGC-5 cells derived from retinal neurons causes apoptosis and reduces the secretion of neurotrophins

Optineurin is a Golgi complex-associated ubiquitous protein with high expression levels in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Mutations in optineurin have been observed in rare hereditary cases of primary open-angle glaucoma and in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We explored the possibility that optineurin deficiency will compromise neuronal exocytosis leading to a diminished secretion of neurotrophic factors that are critically required for neuronal survival. To this end, we used RNA interference to induce depletion of optineurin in RGC-5 cells derived from retinal neurons. SiRNA specific for optineurin was transiently transfected. Moreover, a stable cell line with constitutive optineurin deficiency (RGC-5 pSilencer OPTN) was generated. In addition, we investigated the subcellular localization of optineurin in primary RGCs in retinal cell cultures isolated from eyes of mature mice. In RGC-5 cells, optineurin localized to the periphery of the Golgi complex and was observed in vesicular structures throughout the cytoplasm and close to the plasma membrane. A comparable Golgi-associated localization of optineurin was observed in cultured primary RGCs that were identified by TUJ1 labeling. Optineurin deficiency caused a marked increase in the number of RGC-5 cells with fragmented Golgi complex. RGC-5 pSilencer OPTN with stable optineurin deficiency showed a pronounced increase in the number of cells undergoing apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, the amounts of secreted neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and ciliary neurotrophic factor were significantly lower in culture medium of RGC-5 pSilencer OPTN cells when compared to controls. Adding exogenous NT-3 to the culture medium to achieve amounts seen in control cultures completely prevented the increase in apoptotic cell death. We propose that lack of neurotrophic support due to impaired secretion of neurotrophic proteins is a critical factor that causes or contributes to RGC or motor neuron death in patients with mutated optineurin.     

神经营养因子和生长因子等对培养的成人视网膜神经细胞的影响

目的　探讨成人视网膜神经细胞体外培养条件 ,脑源性神经营养因子 (BDNF)、神经营养素 (NT 4 )、表皮生长因子 (EGF)、成纤维细胞生长因子 (FGF)、诱导分化因子全反式视黄酸 (RA)等对成人视网膜神经细胞生长、增殖、凋亡的影响及调控机制。方法　胰蛋白酶消化结合机械吹打分离成人视网膜神经细胞 ,在培养基中加入或不加入BDNF、NT 4、EGF、FGF、RA。根据细胞形态、生长方式及免疫细胞化学特征确定细胞类型。比较各组中神经元的数目、转录调控因子c fos、c jun及细胞凋亡调控因子Bcl 2、Bax表达水平。结果　与对照组相比 ,BDNF、FGF处理组存活的神经元特异性烯醇酶、Thy1.1抗体和Bcl 2、c fos及c jun表达阳性细胞数也增多 (均P <0 0 1) ,培养的视网膜神经细胞在体外存活时间可长达 8个月 ;RA处理组c fos、c jun阳性细胞数较对照组增多 (均P <0 0 1) ;而NT 4、EGF处理组各项指标与对照组比较 ,差异无显著意义 (均P >0 0 5 )。结论　BDNF、FGF、RA能显著提高体外培养的成人视网膜神经细胞的存活 ,其机制可能涉及上调转录调控因子c fos、c jun及凋亡抑制因子Bcl 2的表达 ,或下调凋亡促进因子Bax的表达。但EGF、NT 4对体外培养的视网膜神经细胞存活状态无明显改善作用。     

加强对退行性眼底病变的神经保护研究

退行性眼底病是临床多见而又难治的一类致盲性眼病,已成为目前眼底病防治研究中的"热点"和"难点",其共性病理特点是视网膜神经细胞数量减少和视网膜功能异常.要治疗退行性眼底病变,需要通过维持残留的神经细胞功能和阻止继发的细胞死亡来保留原有的神经功能,进而为神经细胞再生创造条件.神经保护技术针对神经组织病变的病理过程,阻断损伤反应的各个阶段和环节,达到延缓或阻止病变发展的目的.在由神经药理学方法,神经保护非药物方法和抗凋亡治疗组成的三类神经保护措施中,BDNF、CNTF、NT-3、bFGF和GDNF等神经和细胞因子,Bcl-2蛋白质等对视网膜神经细胞具有的抗凋亡和促存活等效应提示了神经保护治疗退行性眼底病的可行性和有效性.细胞包囊技术(ECT)Ⅰ期临床试验显示的安全性和有效性提示其有望成为一种开展退行性眼底病神经保护治疗的新技术.     

脑源性神经营养因子治疗视网膜色素变性的研究进展

脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)是一种由脑组织合成并广泛分布于中枢神经系统的小分子碱性蛋白.研究发现,BDNF对视网膜神经节细胞(RGCs)、视网膜感光细胞(RPCs)和视网膜色素上皮(RPE)细胞均有保护、营养及抗凋亡作用.视网膜色素变性(RP)是由于RPCs及RPE细胞凋亡引起的视网膜退行性疾病.RP动物模型证实了BDNF的长期给药对于RP的治疗价值.然而BDNF在体内的半衰期较短,且无法跨越血-视网膜屏障由循环系统输送到视网膜,这给BDNF用于RP的治疗带来了挑战.为了使BDNF在眼内可以稳定持续地释放,多种新型给药方式已被尝试,包括基因工程技术、细胞移植技术、高分子材料缓释系统及滴眼液等.本文就BDNF对RP治疗的研究现状及BDNF的新型给药方式做一综述.     

Overlapping spatiotemporal patterns of regulatory gene expression are required for neuronal progenitors to specify retinal ganglion cell fate

Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) are programmed early in development to acquire the competence for specifying the seven retinal cell types. Acquiring competence is a complex spatiotemporal process that is still only vaguely understood. Here, our objective was to more fully understand the mechanisms by which RPCs become competent for specifying a retinal ganglion cell (RGC) fate. RGCs are the first retinal cell type to differentiate and their abnormal development leads to apoptosis and optic nerve degeneration. Previous work demonstrated that the paired domain factor Pax6 and the bHLH factor Atoh7 are required for RPCs to specify RGCs. RGC commitment is marked by the expression of the Pou domain factor Pou4f2 and the Lim domain factor Isl1. We show that three RPC subpopulations can specify RGCs: Atoh7-expressing RPCs, Neurod1-expressing RPCs, and Atoh7-Neurod1-expressing RPCs. All three RPC subpopulations were highly interspersed throughout retinal development, although each subpopulation maintained a distinct temporal pattern. Most, but not all, RPCs from each subpopulation were postmitotic. Atoh7-Neurod1 double knockout mice were generated and double-mutant retinas revealed an unexpected role for Neurod1 in specifying RGC fate. We conclude that RPCs have a complex regulatory gene expression program in which they acquire competence using highly integrated mechanisms.     

Cataractogenic lens injury prevents traumatic ganglion cell death and promotes axonal regeneration both in vivo and in culture

PURPOSE: To examine and quantify neuroprotective and neurite-promoting activity on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after injury of the lens. METHODS: In adult albino rats, penetrating lens injury was performed by intraocular injection. To test for injury-induced neuroprotective effects in vivo, fluorescence-prelabeled RGCs were axotomized by subsequent crush of the optic nerve (ON) with concomitant lens injury to cause cataract. The numbers of surviving RGCs were determined in retinal wholemounts and compared between the different experimental and control groups. To examine axonal regeneration in vivo, the ON was cut and replaced with an autologous piece of sciatic nerve (SN). Retinal ganglion cells with axons that had regenerated within the SN under lens injury or control conditions were retrogradely labeled with a fluorescent dye and counted on retinal wholemounts. Neurite regeneration was also studied in adult retinal explants obtained either after lens injury or without injury. The numbers of axons were determined after 1 and 2 days in culture. Putative neurotrophins (NTs) were studied within immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Cataractogenic lens injury performed at the same time as ON crush resulted in highly significant rescue of 746 +/- 126 RGCs/mm(2) (mean +/- SD; approximately 39% of total RGCs) 14 days after injury compared with controls without injury or with injection of buffer into the vitreous body (30 +/- 18 RGCs/mm(2)). When lens injury was performed with a delay of 3 days after ON crush, 49% of RGCs survived, whereas delay of 5 days still rescued 45% of all RGCs. In the grafting paradigm virtually all surviving RGCs after lens injury appeared to have regenerated an axon within the SN graft (763 +/- 114 RGCs/mm(2) versus 79 +/- 17 RGCs/mm(2) in controls). This rate of regeneration corresponds to approximately 40% of all RGCs. In the regeneration paradigm in vitro preceding lens injury and ON crush 5 days previous resulted in a maximum of regeneration of 273 +/- 39 fibers/explant after 1 day and 574 +/- 38 fibers/explant after 2 days in vitro. In comparison, in control retinal pieces without lens injury 28 +/- 13 fibers/explant grew out at 1 day, and 97 +/- 37 fibers/explant grew out at 2 days in culture. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis of potential NTs in the injured lens revealed no expression of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NT-4, nerve growth factor (NGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the lens contains high neuroprotective and neuritogenic activity, which is not caused by NT. Compared with the data available in the literature, this neuroprotection is quantitatively among the highest ever reported within the adult rat visual system.