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Quantitative Analyses of mRNA and Protein Levels of Neurotrophin-3 in the Rat Retina During Postnatal Development and Aging

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Abstract

Purpose

In this study, we sought to elucidate changes in the levels of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the rat retina throughout postnatal development and aging.

Methods

We demonstrated NT-3 localization in the retina by immunohistochemistry. Protein and mRNA levels of NT-3 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. NT-3 protein levels were assayed in the various regions of the central nervous system. Age-associated changes in protein and mRNA levels of NT-3 in the retinas were assessed.

Results

NT-3-immunoreactivity localized in the ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer, and outer nuclear layer. NT-3 content in the retina was relatively high in the examined regions of the central nervous system. Retinal NT-3 protein levels decreased after eye opening, whereas mRNA levels were constant. Both mRNA and protein levels of NT-3 in the retinas of aged animals remained constant.

Conclusions

Our observations suggest that NT-3 regulation in the retina is independent of increasing visual stimuli after eye opening. Stable expression of NT-3 in the adult retina suggests a possible role in the maintenance of the retinal environment throughout later life.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan

    Masaaki Seki, Takeo Fukuchi, Takayuki Tanaka & Haruki Abe

  2. Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan

    Masaaki Seki, Takayuki Tanaka, Hiroyuki Nawa & Nobuyuki Takei

Authors
  1. Masaaki Seki
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  2. Takeo Fukuchi
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  3. Takayuki Tanaka
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  4. Hiroyuki Nawa
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  5. Nobuyuki Takei
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  6. Haruki Abe
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masaaki Seki.

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Cite this article

Seki, M., Fukuchi, T., Tanaka, T. et al. Quantitative Analyses of mRNA and Protein Levels of Neurotrophin-3 in the Rat Retina During Postnatal Development and Aging. Jpn J Ophthalmol 48, 460–464 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-004-0093-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-004-0093-8

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