Trophic factors GDNF and BDNF improve function of retinal sheet transplants

摘要: The aim of this study was to compare glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) treatment with brain-derived (BDNF) retinal transplants on restoration visual responses in the superior colliculus (SC) S334ter line 3 rat model rapid degeneration (RD). RD rats (age 4–6 weeks) received subretinal intact sheets fetal retina expressing marker human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPAP). Experimental groups included: (1) untreated sheet transplants, (2) GDNF-treated (3) BDNF-treated (4) none surgical, age-matched rats, (5) sham surgery controls, (6) progenitor cortex transplant and (7) normal pigmented controls. At 2–8 months after transplantation, multi-unit were recorded from SC using a 40 ms full-field stimulus (−5.9 +1 log cd/m2) overnight dark-adaptation. Responses analyzed for light thresholds, spike counts, response latencies, location within SC. Transplants grouped into laminated or rosetted (more disorganized) based histological analysis. Visual stimulation control evoked no responses. In small area corresponding position host retina, responded between −4.5 −0.08 cd/m2, whereas threshold at below −5 cd/m2 all over Overall, had lower thresholds distributed wider than transplants. BDNF improved (spike responsive areas) GDNF both conclusion, rats; appears exert greater overall BDNF.