Abstract
Neurotrophins have been implicated in regulating many aspects of neuronal development and plasticity, including dendritic and axonal elaboration, by acting primarily as target derived trophic factors. Recently, we have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is produced by retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and travels in an anterograde direction along the optic nerve in neonatal rats. Here, we have assessed whether the anterogradely transported BDNF plays a role in shaping the retinogeniculate connectivity during development. We used intraocular injections of antisense oligonucleotides to suppress selectively retinal synthesis and anterograde transport of BDNF in rat pups. We found that in the absence of endogenous BDNF, RGC axons retract from their target in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). The blockade of BDNF action at the retinal level with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, K252a, failed to produce this effect, suggesting an anterograde action of the endogenous BDNF. Moreover, the effects of BDNF removal on RGC fibers were evident only during a narrow temporal window coincident with the critical period for the retinothalamic refinement, indicating a role for BDNF on growth and elaboration of RGC axons rather than on their maintenance. Altogether these results propose a novel role for BDNF in the elaboration of retinogeniculate axons.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 972-983 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2003 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
Cite this
The anterogradely transported BDNF promotes retinal axon remodeling during eye specific segregation within the LGN. / Menna, Elisabetta; Cenni, Maria Cristina; Naska, Sibel; Maffei, Lamberto.
In: Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Vol. 24, No. 4, 12.2003, p. 972-983.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The anterogradely transported BDNF promotes retinal axon remodeling during eye specific segregation within the LGN
AU - Menna, Elisabetta
AU - Cenni, Maria Cristina
AU - Naska, Sibel
AU - Maffei, Lamberto
PY - 2003/12
Y1 - 2003/12
N2 - Neurotrophins have been implicated in regulating many aspects of neuronal development and plasticity, including dendritic and axonal elaboration, by acting primarily as target derived trophic factors. Recently, we have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is produced by retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and travels in an anterograde direction along the optic nerve in neonatal rats. Here, we have assessed whether the anterogradely transported BDNF plays a role in shaping the retinogeniculate connectivity during development. We used intraocular injections of antisense oligonucleotides to suppress selectively retinal synthesis and anterograde transport of BDNF in rat pups. We found that in the absence of endogenous BDNF, RGC axons retract from their target in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). The blockade of BDNF action at the retinal level with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, K252a, failed to produce this effect, suggesting an anterograde action of the endogenous BDNF. Moreover, the effects of BDNF removal on RGC fibers were evident only during a narrow temporal window coincident with the critical period for the retinothalamic refinement, indicating a role for BDNF on growth and elaboration of RGC axons rather than on their maintenance. Altogether these results propose a novel role for BDNF in the elaboration of retinogeniculate axons.
AB - Neurotrophins have been implicated in regulating many aspects of neuronal development and plasticity, including dendritic and axonal elaboration, by acting primarily as target derived trophic factors. Recently, we have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is produced by retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and travels in an anterograde direction along the optic nerve in neonatal rats. Here, we have assessed whether the anterogradely transported BDNF plays a role in shaping the retinogeniculate connectivity during development. We used intraocular injections of antisense oligonucleotides to suppress selectively retinal synthesis and anterograde transport of BDNF in rat pups. We found that in the absence of endogenous BDNF, RGC axons retract from their target in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). The blockade of BDNF action at the retinal level with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, K252a, failed to produce this effect, suggesting an anterograde action of the endogenous BDNF. Moreover, the effects of BDNF removal on RGC fibers were evident only during a narrow temporal window coincident with the critical period for the retinothalamic refinement, indicating a role for BDNF on growth and elaboration of RGC axons rather than on their maintenance. Altogether these results propose a novel role for BDNF in the elaboration of retinogeniculate axons.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0347124701&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S1044-7431(03)00258-6
DO - 10.1016/S1044-7431(03)00258-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 14697662
AN - SCOPUS:0347124701
VL - 24
SP - 972
EP - 983
JO - Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences
JF - Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences
SN - 1044-7431
IS - 4
ER -