Rat retinal ganglion cells co-express brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB

Vision Res. 2002 Jan;42(2):151-7. doi: 10.1016/s0042-6989(01)00251-6.

Abstract

The expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its preferred receptor (TrkB) in rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) have been determined in the present study. To identify RGCs retrograde labelling was performed with fluorogold (FG). Subsequently, retinas were immunostained with antibodies to BDNF and TrkB. We found that all RGCs labelled with FG express both BDNF and its preferred receptor, TrkB. Moreover, displaced amacrine cells were also found to be immunolabelled by both antibodies. Thus BDNF/TrkB signalling in RGCs probably involves endogenous BDNF produced by the RGCs themselves.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism*
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor, trkB / metabolism*
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Receptor, trkB