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GDNF, Ret, GFRα1 and 2 in the adult rat retino-tectal system after optic nerve transection

Lindqvist, Niclas LU ; Peinado-Ramón, Paloma ; Vidal-Sanz, Manuel and Hallböök, Finn (2004) In Experimental Neurology 187(2). p.487-499
Abstract

In the present study, we have studied the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptors Ret, GFRα1, and GFRα2 in the retino-tectal system before and after optic nerve transection. Using retrograde neuronal tracing in combination with in situ hybridization, we found that Ret and GFRα1 are expressed by 13-14% of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). These Ret-expressing RGCs could not be identified as belonging to any particular of the RGA, RGB, and RGC sub types. Ret is co-expressed with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor TrkB in these RGCs. Optic nerve transection resulted in reduced Ret mRNA levels in retina, while the levels of GDNF, GFRα1, and 2 mRNA... (More)

In the present study, we have studied the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptors Ret, GFRα1, and GFRα2 in the retino-tectal system before and after optic nerve transection. Using retrograde neuronal tracing in combination with in situ hybridization, we found that Ret and GFRα1 are expressed by 13-14% of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). These Ret-expressing RGCs could not be identified as belonging to any particular of the RGA, RGB, and RGC sub types. Ret is co-expressed with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor TrkB in these RGCs. Optic nerve transection resulted in reduced Ret mRNA levels in retina, while the levels of GDNF, GFRα1, and 2 mRNA increased. Administration of GDNF protein supported the axotomized RGCs. Analysis of normal superior colliculus (SC) did not show any expression of GDNF mRNA, yet GDNF mRNA levels in SC increased after injury. Together, these findings identify a portion of RGCs as being possible targets for pharmacological treatment with GDNF in a direct mode of action. The absence of detectable GDNF mRNA in normal SC questions the role for GDNF as being a target-derived factor produced in the SC for adult RGCs. The results support a function for GDNF locally in the retina and as part of an injury-induced system that may act to enhance neuroprotective and neuroregenerative responses both to endogenous GDNF ligands and those administered exogenously.

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author
; ; and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
keywords
Axotomy, Injury, Neurotrophic factor, Optic tectum, Retina, Superior colliculus, Visual system
in
Experimental Neurology
volume
187
issue
2
pages
13 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:2342549194
  • pmid:15144875
ISSN
0014-4886
DOI
10.1016/j.expneurol.2004.02.002
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
7aca8f59-510d-4f30-9079-a66305dcac95
date added to LUP
2017-06-02 15:17:53
date last changed
2024-03-31 10:53:52
@article{7aca8f59-510d-4f30-9079-a66305dcac95,
  abstract     = {{<p>In the present study, we have studied the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptors Ret, GFRα1, and GFRα2 in the retino-tectal system before and after optic nerve transection. Using retrograde neuronal tracing in combination with in situ hybridization, we found that Ret and GFRα1 are expressed by 13-14% of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). These Ret-expressing RGCs could not be identified as belonging to any particular of the RG<sub>A</sub>, RG<sub>B</sub>, and RG<sub>C</sub> sub types. Ret is co-expressed with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor TrkB in these RGCs. Optic nerve transection resulted in reduced Ret mRNA levels in retina, while the levels of GDNF, GFRα1, and 2 mRNA increased. Administration of GDNF protein supported the axotomized RGCs. Analysis of normal superior colliculus (SC) did not show any expression of GDNF mRNA, yet GDNF mRNA levels in SC increased after injury. Together, these findings identify a portion of RGCs as being possible targets for pharmacological treatment with GDNF in a direct mode of action. The absence of detectable GDNF mRNA in normal SC questions the role for GDNF as being a target-derived factor produced in the SC for adult RGCs. The results support a function for GDNF locally in the retina and as part of an injury-induced system that may act to enhance neuroprotective and neuroregenerative responses both to endogenous GDNF ligands and those administered exogenously.</p>}},
  author       = {{Lindqvist, Niclas and Peinado-Ramón, Paloma and Vidal-Sanz, Manuel and Hallböök, Finn}},
  issn         = {{0014-4886}},
  keywords     = {{Axotomy; Injury; Neurotrophic factor; Optic tectum; Retina; Superior colliculus; Visual system}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{487--499}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Experimental Neurology}},
  title        = {{GDNF, Ret, GFRα1 and 2 in the adult rat retino-tectal system after optic nerve transection}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2004.02.002}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.expneurol.2004.02.002}},
  volume       = {{187}},
  year         = {{2004}},
}