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Abstract #18531 Published in IGR 3-3
Neurotrophin and neuotrophin receptor expression by cells of the human lamina cribrosa
Lambert W; Agarwal R; Howe W; Clark AF; Wordinger RJInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2001; 42: 2315-2323
PURPOSE: To determine whether cells and tissue from the human lamina cribrosa (LC) express neutrophin and tyrosine kinase (trk) receptor mRNA and protein, and whether these cells secrete neurotrophins. METHODS: Synthesis of cDNA and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were conducted using total RNA obtained from well-characterized cell lines from human LC and human optic nerve head (ONH) tissue. Immunofluorescent localization and western blot analysis were used to evaluate neurotrophin and trk protein expression in cells and tissue from human LC. Immunoassay systems (ELISAs) were used to detect the secretion of neurotrophins. RESULTS: Two morphologically distinct cell types (LC cells and ONH astrocytes) were isolated and characterized from human LC. Messenger RNA for each of the neurotrophins, three full-length trk receptors and two truncated trk receptors were detected in both cell types and in human ONH tissue. Protein for the neurotrophins and trk receptors were detected in LC cells, ONH astrocytes, and ONH tissue. Neither cell type expressed mRNA or protein for the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor p75. The secretion of neutrophins was observed in both cell types. CONCLUSIONS: Cells from human LC express mRNA and protein of neurotrophins and trk receptors. In addition, cells from the LC secrete neurotrophins, which suggests that there is paracrine and/or autocrine signalling within the LC. Neurotrophin signalling within this region of the ONH map play an important role in the maintenance of normal LC and in such diseases as glaucoma.
Dr W. Lambert, Department of Pathology and Anatomy, Division of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Forth Worth, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA. wlambert@hsc.unt.edu
Classification:
1.3 Pathogenesis (Part of: 1 General aspects)