Role of the low-affinity NGF receptor (p75) in survival of retinal bipolar cells

Vis Neurosci. 1998 Mar-Apr;15(2):211-8. doi: 10.1017/s095252389815201x.

Abstract

We have examined the role of neurotrophins in promoting survival of mammalian rod bipolar cells (RBC) in culture. Retinas taken from 8- to 10-day-old Long-Evans rats were dissociated and cultured in media supplemented with either nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), or basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). Survival was measured by the number of cells that were immunoreactive for alpha-, beta-, gamma-PKC, a bipolar cell-specific marker. Compared to untreated cultures, CNTF had no effect on RBC survival, while NGF and NT-3 increased survival only slightly. BDNF, however, increased survival by approximately 300%. Similar results were obtained with FGF-2. Both nerve growth factor (NGF) and an antibody (anti-REX) which interferes with binding to the 75-kD low-affinity neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) eliminated BDNF-promoted survival, but had no effect on FGF-2-mediated survival. Interestingly, p75NTR was expressed by retinal glia (Müller cells), but not by the bipolar cells themselves, providing for the possibility that BDNF might induce Müller cells to produce a secondary factor, perhaps FGF-2, which directly rescues RBCs. In support of this hypothesis, an antibody that neutralizes FGF-2 attenuated the trophic effects of BDNF, and dramatically reduced survival in cultures with no added growth factors, indicating that there may be an endogenous source of FGF-2 that promotes survival of RBCs in culture. We suggest that BDNF increases production or release of FGF-2 by binding to p75NTR on Müller cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / pharmacology
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / physiology*
  • Retina / cytology
  • Retina / drug effects
  • Retina / physiology*

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2