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NGF Expression in Reelin-Deprived Retinal Cells: A Potential Neuroprotective Effect

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Abstract

We recently reported that increased NGF and p75NTR as well as decreased trkANGFR characterized the Reelin-deprived (E-Reeler) retina, prospecting a potential contribution of NGF during E-Reeler retinogenesis. Herein, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), glial cells and rod bipolar cells (RBCs) were isolated from E-Reeler retinas, and NGF, trkANGFR/p75NTR expression and apoptosis were investigated. E-Reeler (n = 28) and E-control (n = 34) retinas were digested, and RGCs, glial cells and RBCs were isolated by the magnetic bead separation. Expression of NGF, trkANGFR, p75NTR, Annexin V/PI and Bcl2/Bax was quantified by flow cytometry and validated by real-time PCR or WB. In E-Reeler retinas, NGF was significantly increased in RGCs and glial cells, p75NTR was increased in both RBCs and RGCs, and trkANGFR was unchanged. In E-control retinas, NGF and p75NTR were expressed mainly in RBCs and RGCs and faintly in glial cells, while trkANGFR was weakly expressed by RBCs and RGCs. In RBCs and RGCs, Annexin V expression was unchanged, while Bcl2 increased and Bax decreased selectively in E-Reeler RGCs. The data indicate that E-Reeler RBCs and RGCs overexpress NGF and p75NTR as a protective endogenous response to Reelin deprivation. The observation is strongly supported by the absence of apoptosis in both cell types.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Filippo Biamonte (Institute of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine “A. Gemelli,” Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy) and Dr. Francesca Fanelli (Laboratory of Developmental Neuroscience and Neural Plasticity, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy) for the suggestions provided during the experiments. BOB, GE and AM were supported by the Italian Ministry of Health and by Fondazione Roma. RM and FK were supported by the Italian Ministry of Education (PRIN 2009P9CE2R). Parts of the data were presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Life-Changing Research, May 5–9, 2013, Seattle, CA.

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The authors declared no competing financial interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Ocular Surface Unit, IRCCS-G.B. Bietti Foundation, via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy

    Bijorn Omar Balzamino, Graziana Esposito & Alessandra Micera

  2. Laboratory of Developmental Neuroscience and Neural Plasticity, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy

    Ramona Marino & Flavio Keller

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  1. Bijorn Omar Balzamino
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  2. Graziana Esposito
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  5. Alessandra Micera
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Correspondence to Alessandra Micera.

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Balzamino, B.O., Esposito, G., Marino, R. et al. NGF Expression in Reelin-Deprived Retinal Cells: A Potential Neuroprotective Effect. Neuromol Med 17, 314–325 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12017-015-8360-z

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