Combined effect of olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) intravitreal injection on optic nerve injury in rats

[摘要] Purpose: To investigate the combinedeffect of olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation andrecombinant human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (rhGDNF)intravitreal injection on optic nerve functional recovery followingincomplete injury in adult rats. Methods: The optic nerves of adult ratswere crushed by forceps and then GDNF was injected into vitreouscavity, OECs transplanted into injured optic nerve, or GDNF vitreousinjection combined with OECs transplantation, and balanced saltsolution was injected into vitreous cavity of control group ratsrespectively. Flash visual evoked potential (F-VEP) was performed onthe injured eye immediately after injury and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeksafter injury. Results: The F-VEP waveforms were almostsilent immediately after the optic nerve injury. The latency of theF-VEP (LP1) recovered nearly to the normal value 1 week after injury inthe treatment groups. The amplitude recovered more slowly. It recoveredmore obviously and rapidly in the rhGDNF combined with OEC group. At 8weeks after injury, the amplitude was restored to 64.5% of thepre-injury level in the control group and to 91.8% in the GDNF+OECtreatment group. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) labeling showed retinalganglion cell (RGC) axon regeneration and prolongation in the combinedgroup, and the regenerated axons extended across the traumatized areaand reached the distal end of the injured optic nerve. Conclusions: The combination of OECtransplantation and rhGDNF intravitreal injection will be moreeffective in promoting the recovery of visual function after incompleteinjury of the optic nerve in adult rats.

[学科分类] 生物化学/生物物理