Skip to main content
PMC home page
PLOS ONE logoLink to PLOS ONE
. 2015 Apr 21;10(4):e0124810. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124810

Effect of Purified Murine NGF on Isolated Photoreceptors of a Rodent Developing Retinitis Pigmentosa

Maria Luisa Rocco 1, Bijorn Omar Balzamino 2, Pamela Petrocchi Passeri 1,3, Alessandra Micera 2, Luigi Aloe 1,*
Editor: Steven Barnes4
PMCID: PMC4405340  PMID: 25897972

Abstract

A number of different studies have shown that neurotrophins, including nerve growth factor (NGF) support the survival of retinal ganglion neurons during a variety if insults. Recently, we have reported that that eye NGF administration can protect also photoreceptor degeneration in a mice and rat with inherited retinitis pigmentosa. However, the evidence that NGF acts directly on photoreceptors and that other retinal cells mediate the NGF effect could not be excluded. In the present study we have isolated retinal cells from rats with inherited retinitis pigmentosa (RP) during the post-natal stage of photoreceptor degenerative. In presence of NGF, these cells are characterized by enhanced expression of NGF-receptors and rhodopsin, the specific marker of photoreceptor and better cell survival, as well as neuritis outgrowth. Together these observations support the hypothesis that NGF that NGF acts directly on photoreceptors survival and prevents photoreceptor degeneration as previously suggested by in vivo studies.

Introduction

Animal models are widely used for investigating the aetiology of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and ultimately for the developing a therapy for the disease [1]. The first animal model of inherited RP (RP) indicating the major characteristics of the human disease is the Royal College of Surgeon (RCS) rat. The visual pathogenesis of this rodent strain comprises a group of inherited progressive retinal cell dystrophies characterized by rod and cone photoreceptor degeneration, leading to progressive loss of vision [2,3]. This eye pathology affects approximately 1 in 400 in a general population and currently a resolute therapy that can arrest or significantly modify the outcome of the disease is not available [4,5]. Thus, any animals models of RP with similar genetic deficits, either occurring naturally or obtained through transgenic manipulations that can provide further information and allow to identify new mechanisms and hopefully suggest potential therapeutic strategies represent a major aim of numerous expert in this field of ocular disorder. The RCS rat is a well-known genetic animal model of photoreceptor degeneration to investigate this aspect, including the identification of biological mediator involved in mechanism of cell death and cell survival. During last few decades, fields of interest of these experimental approaches, include the use of drugs delivery [6] transplantation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) or photoreceptors [7–10], gene therapy [11], the administration of growth factors [12]. The first evidence of possible neuroprotective effect of growth factor on retinal cell degeneration was reported by [12,13] who demonstrated that beta-fibroblast growth factor might be able to protect degenerating photoreceptors in RCS rats [14]. Unfortunately, it was also found that this growth factor triggers retinal neovascularization making unacceptable for further studies and potential human therapy [14]. More recently, it was reported that retina of mice and rats affected with RP are characterized by reduced presence of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and NGF-receptors and suggested that exogenous NGF administration might delay and/or protect photoreceptors degeneration [15–18]. Other studies supporting the hypothesis that NGF is involved in the protection of retinal cells were provided by Siliprandi et al in rat [19] Carmignoto et al in rabbit [20], and in glaucoma by Lambiase and Aloe in rats and humans [21].

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the first discovered and the best characterized member of the neurotrophin family [22] that includes Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Neurotrophin-3/4/5 [23,24]. The biological effect of NGF is mediated by two distinct receptors: trkANGFR (a tyrosine kinase receptors) and p75NTR and the biological activity on target cells depends on their surface trkANGFR/p75NTR ratio [25,26]. Intracerebral administration of purified NGF has been shown to protect basal forebrain cholinergic neurons that are known to degenerate in brain aging and memory loss in laboratory animals [27,28] and in Alzheimer’s disease [29]. The neuroprotective role of NGF was furthermore suggested by our studies showing that in vivo NGF administration protects degenerating retinal ganglion cells and photoreceptors degeneration [18,21,30] that lead the hypothesis that exogenous intra-vitreal or topical NGF administration might be able to rescue degenerating retinal cells. However, clear evidence that NGF acts directly on degenerating photoreceptors is still not available. Whether photoreceptors of rats developing RP express trkANGFR and NGF action is directed or mediated by local retinal cells have been not yet established, remaining an open question. The herein described in “in vitro” experiments were designed to investigate the direct role of NGF on isolated and cultured photoreceptors.

Materials and Methods

Ethics Statement and Animals

A total of 96 RCS animals at postnatal day 10 (p10) were housed at the CNR animal facility and handled according to the experimental procedure approved by the Ethical Commission on animal experimentation of the National Research Council (CNR, Rome). All experiments were conducted in accordance with the guidelines for the use of animals stated by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmic Research. All efforts were made to reduce the total number of animals and to minimize animal suffering. At the time of sampling, animals were sacrificed by means of an overdose of anaesthetic (Ketamine-xylazine and tiletamine-zolazepam; Fort Dodge Veterinaria, S.A., Vall de Bianya-Girona, Spain).

Chemicals

NGF and neutralizing anti-NGF antibodies

NGF was purified in our laboratory from adult male mouse submaxillary glands, following the slightly modified method originally described by Bocchini and Angeletti in 1969 [31]. The anti-NGF antibody (ANA) was raised in goat and purified following the procedure indicated by Stoeckel and coworkers [32].

Antibodies

Anti-Rhodopsin (MS-1233-P; Ab-1 (RET-P1); Neomarkers, Fremont, CA, USA); anti-trkANGFR (sc-118; Santa Cruz Biotech, Santa Cruz, CA, USA); anti-phospho trkANGFR (p-trkANGFR; sc-130222; Santa Cruz); anti-p75NTR (sc-6188; Santa Cruz); and anti-GAPDH (sc-365062; Santa Cruz). Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated goat anti-rabbit and Alexa Fluor 594-conjugated goat anti-mouse as well as horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-rabbit/mouse specie-specific secondary antibodies (Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, USA).

Retina dissection, cell cultures and photoreceptor isolation

Retinas were dissected out from whole eyeball according to a standard procedure of retina peel-off and treated with 0.25% Trypsin-HBSS solution (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, CA, USA) for 10 min to release single cells. Single cells (5,000 cells/well) were seeded on precoated (0.5% poly-Lysine; P2636, Sigma) round-glass coverslips in 24well-plates (Nunc, Roskilde, Denmark) or directly on plates and cultured in DMEM/F12 supplemented with 5% horse serum (respectively from EuroClone and Gibco-Carlsbad, CA, USA) in the presence or absence of 50ng/mL NGF. After 6 days of culturing, cells were checked for live/death ratio according to a standard procedure (Trypan blue vital staining; Flow laboratories, Irvine, Scotland, UK). Cells on coverslips were washed in PBS (0.1M pH 7.5; Applichem, Darmstadt, Germany), briefly fixed in cold 4% buffered paraformaldehyde (5min), quenched in 50mM NH4Cl (3min), permeabilized in 0.01% Triton X-100 (5min) and subject to confocal analysis. Other sister cells were trypsin harvested and pellets were subject to Western blot analysis. For bio-molecular studies on isolated photoreceptors, retinal cells from stimulating/neutralizing experiments were harvested, post-fixed in 0.5% cold paraformaldehyde (PFA) and probed with Rhodopsin antibodies. Labeled cells were isolated according to the Tetrameric Antibody Complexes recognizing the Rhodopsin-bearing photoreceptors, as previously reported with minor modifications (EasySep Magnet separation; Stemcell Technologies, Voden Medical Instruments SpA, Milan, Italy) [33]. Photoreceptor purity (~80–90%) was verified by flow cytometry (MACSQuant Analyzer; Miltenyi, GmBH, Germany).

Biochemical analysis

Confocal microscopy

Fixed monolayers were incubated for 18hrs at 4°C with Rhodopsin antibody alone (single-staining; 1:300 diluted) or in combination with trkANGFR or p75NTR antibodies (double staining; 1:100 diluted). To assess for staining specificity, parallel sections were incubated with purified non-specific rabbit IgG antibodies (isotype; Vector, Burlingame, CA, USA). After appropriate washing, the slides were incubated with Alexa Fluor-488 goat anti-rabbit and/or Alexa Fluor-594 anti-specie-specific IgG secondary antibodies (1:400) for 1hr at room temperature. Nuclear counterstaining was performed with DAPI (0.1mM; Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR, USA). Sections were mounted in home-made anti-fading medium, observed under a confocal microscope (CLSM; SP5 Leica Microsystems; Wetzlar, Germany) and acquired at X60/objective (1024x1024 pixels; 10Hz acquisition speed; 30 or 60 μm pine-hole and low/high laser exposure). No intensity-image adjustment was performed while for presentation purposes color–image changes were performed after assembling in panels (Adobe Photoshop ver.7; Adobe System, San Jose, CA, USA).

Western Blot analysis

Pooled retinas (n = 5 pools/6 retinas for each pool) and untreated as well as NGF-exposed retinal cells or photoreceptors were homogenized in loading buffer (0.1M tris-HCl buffer, pH 6.8, containing 0.2M DTT, 4% SDS, 20% glycerol and 0.1% bromophenol blue), separated by 8% or 12% SDS-PAGE (20μL/lane) and transferred (18hrs/4°C) to PVDF membrane (GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences, Pittsburgh, USA). Membranes were incubated for 1hr at room temperature with a blocking buffer (5% non-fat dry milk in TBST: 10mM Tris, pH 7.5, 100mM NaCl and 0.1% Tween-20) and washed three times (10 min each at room temperature) in TBST before incubation (18hrs/4°C) with the following primary antibodies: anti-trkANGFR, anti-p-trkANGFR or anti-p75NTR (all diluted at 1:1000). Membranes were washed three times (10 min each at room temperature in TBST) and incubated for 1hr with specie-specific horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-rabbit/anti-mouse IgG antibodies (1:4000). Specific signal was developed according to the ECL chemiluminescent technique (Millipore Corporation, Billerica, MA, USA) and acquired with the 1D Image Station (Kodak, Milan, Italy). The OD values were quantified with the ImageJ v1.43 software (NIH-http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/). For normalization, membrane were stripped and reproved with anti-GAPDH (1:1000). The normalized OD values were used for statistical analysis.

Molecular analysis

Relative real-time PCR

Total RNA was extracted from pooled retinas (n = 5 pools/6 retinas each one) or cultured cells with TRIfast (EuroClone), according to manufacturers’ suggestions and resuspended in 10μL fresh RNase free water (Direct Q5, Millipore Corporation, Billerica, MA, USA). To eliminate any DNA contamination, total RNA samples were treated with RNase-free DNaseI, according to the supplier’s protocol (2U/uL DNAse; AM-1907; Turbo DNA free kit; Ambion Ltd., Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK). Total RNA samples were checked for RNA quantity/purity (>1.8; A280, Nanodrop A1000; Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Wilmington, USA) and for absence of RNA degradation (1% agarose gel; SaeKem LE-agarose; Lonza, Milan, Italy). Equivalent amounts of RNA (1μg) were used as template to generate cDNAs in a one-cycler programmable thermocycler (PeqLab Biotech, Erlangen, Germany), according to the IMPROM manufacturer’s procedure (Promega, Madison, USA). The resulting cDNAs were amplified using the SYBR Green PCR core reagent kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) in an Opticon2 programmable thermocycler (MJ Research, Watertown, MA, USA), according to a standard procedure. Samples were amplified in duplicate and in parallel with negative controls (either without template or with mRNA as template). Cycle thresholds (Cts) were recorded during linear amplification and normalized to those of referring genes run in parallel (nCts = Cttarget−Ctreferring). Averages were calculated from replicates and expressed as normalized Ct or as expression ratio of a normalized target with respect to referring gene expression (absolute fold changes), according to REST analysis. The specific primers and amplification profiles were according to previous studies [34]. Primer specificities were confirmed by single melting curves monitored during amplification and provided at the end of amplification by the Opticon2 software. PCR products were randomly tested for single-band amplification by 2.5% agarose gel separation (SaeKem LE-agarose; Lonza, Basel, Switzerland).

Statistical analysis

All experiments were performed in duplicate and provided as mean±SEM in the graphics. Unpaired Student t test analysis was performed using the StatView software (Abacus Concepts Inc., Barkley, CA, USA). A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The REST/ANOVA-coupled analysis was carried out for molecular comparisons [35].

Results

Preliminary observations

Previous studies have shown that in RCS rats, the degeneration of photoreceptors begins at the first post-natal week and continues until the photoreceptor outer nuclear layer disappears completely [16]. Therefore to verify the hypothesis of this study, we selected retinas from 10 day old rats (p10), when a significant number of these cells start respectively to degenerate, lose and die [36]. This photoreceptor reduction has been associated with a decrease of local NGF levels [16].

NGF biological activity on PC12

First of all, both NGF biological activity and neutralizing anti-NGF antibody (ANA) activities were tested on PC12 cells [37]. PC12 were plated at 10.000 cell density in the presence of medium alone, NGF (50ng/mL) or ANA (500ng/mL). Stimulating/neutralizing activities were determined by evaluating respectively the promoting (50ng/ml NGF) or blocking (50ng/ml NGF pre-incubated with 500 ng/ml ANA) neuritis outgrowth activity on PC12 cultured over 6 days (6d). The results of this preliminary analysis is shown in Fig 1A and 1B respectively.

Fig 1. NGF effect on PC12 neuritis outgrew.

Fig 1

Open in a new tab

Phase contrast images confirming the effect of our purified mouse NGF on PC12 cultured for 6 consecutive days alone (A; untreated), with 50ng/ml NGF (B; NGF) and with 50ng/ml NGF pre-incubated with 500ng/ml neutralizing anti-NGF antibodies (C; ANA/NGF). Note the typical neuritis outgrowth from PC12 exposed to NGF (B), as compared to the absence of neuritis outgrowth in untreated (A) and ANA/NGF treated (C) PC12 cultures. (Magnification x200)

The effect of NGF exposure on survival of p10 retinal cells

Thereafter, we tested the effect of NGF on primary cultures obtained from p10 retinas dissected out, dissociated and plated for 12hrs or 6d depending on the experiment. As shown in Fig 2, the cells quickly adhered to the plate (A, time 0 or 12hrs) and some of those were Rhodopsin positive (red staining). These Rhodopsin positive cells showed few elongations. After 6d of culturing in medium alone, a reduced number of Rhodopsin positive cells was detected, as compared to the initial plating (A). Upon 6d NGF exposure (C), the Rhodopsin positive cell number was comparable to those of plating (A) and interestingly elongations occurred in most of the Rhodopsin positive cells. The effect is clearly visible if comparing NGF treated with untreated fields (Cvs.B). These observations indicated that NGF stimulates the survival of photoreceptors.

Fig 2. NGF effect on primary cultures of retinal cells.

Fig 2

Open in a new tab

Retinas were dissected out, dissociated and plated according to a standard procedure. Representative confocal images of p10 retinal cells expressing Rhodopsin at baseline (A) or after 6 days of culturing with medium alone (B) or supplemented with 50ng/ml NGF (C). Individual cells were attached as early as 12 hrs from seeding (A). NGF exposed cultures (C) retained retinal cells number, with respect to initial cultures (A) and showed an higher cell number with respect to in untreated ones (B). The red staining is Rhodopsin immunoreactivity in photoreceptors having blue nuclear counterstaining (DAPI). Magnification: x200

The effect of NGF on Rhodopsin positive neuritis outgrowth and trkANGFR expression

To validate the specificity of NGF effect on these retinal cells, primary cultures were seeded/cultured over 6d in medium alone or supplemented with NGF, neutralizing anti-NGF antibodies (ANA) or NGF pre-incubated with ANA (ANA/NGF). The Fig 3 highlighted the specificity of the addition of exogenous NGF on survival and neuritis outgrowth of dissociated p10 retinal cells, as compared to controls (B vs. A). This NGF effect was not detectable in the presence of neutralizing anti-NGF antibodies (C) nor when cells were exposed to NGF pre-incubated with ANA (D). Survival (averaged cell number; E) and neuritis outgrowth (length; F) were quantified in three optic field from 20 untreated and NGF treated wells. The results are shown respectively in E and F (*p<0.05 in the graphics).

Fig 3. NGF effect on survival and neuritis outgrowth of cultured retinal cells.

Fig 3

Open in a new tab

Representative images of p10 retinal cells cultured alone (A) or in the presence of 50ng/ml NGF (B), 500ng/ml neutralizing anti-NGF antibodies (C; ANA) or with 50ng/ml NGF preincubated with 500ng/ml ANA (D; ANA/NGF) for 6 consecutive days. Note the increased Rhodopsin immunoreactivity in cultures exposure to NGF (B). The Insert (B) is an high-magnification of a Rhodopsin-bearing photoreceptor with neuritis outgrowth. (DAPI nuclear staining; Magnifications: A-D: x400; B (insert): x600/oil immersion). The quantitative analysis indicates that NGF stimulated the survival of photoreceptors (E; averaged cell number) and their neuritis outgrowth (F; length). The results are shown respectively in E and F. Data are expressed as mean±SD per optic field (*p<0.05; NGF-treated vs. untreated ones; 3 optic field from 20 untreated and NGF treated wells).

According to data illustrated in Figs 2 and 3, these NGF-exposed Rhodopsin positive cells (photoreceptor) survived over 6d of culturing, implying that unless daily supply of NGF is provided, they will degenerate. This hypothesis might be supported by the observation that these cells express trkANGFR. As shown in Fig 4, NGF-exposed cells co-expressed both trkANGFR and Rhodopsin (A). A widespread neuritis outgrowth and an higher number of trkANGFR positive cells was observed upon NGF stimulation (B), as compared to untreated or ANA and/or ANA/NGF treated cells (C-D). Indeed, high trkANGFR and Rhodopsin were co-expressed in NGF treated cultures (green and red staining in single cells in merge panel E; single staining in C-D panels) and co-localized in ANA treated cultures (yellow staining in H merge panel; single staining in F-G panels). Moreover, the confocal analysis indicates that NGF stimulates neuritis outgrowth from photoreceptor.

Fig 4. trkANGFR expression in retinal cells.

Fig 4

Open in a new tab

Representative images of p10 retinal cells exposed to 50ng/mL NGF (A,C-E) or 500ng/ml neutralizing anti-NGF antibodies (B,F-H; ANA) over 6 days. Note the trkANGFR immunoreactivity (green) in Rhodopsin positive (red) cells from cultures exposed to NGF (A) or ANA (B). Single-stainings or merges for NGF (CDE) and ANA (FGH) are shown. (DAPI nuclear staining; Magnifications: A,B: x400; C-H; x600/oil immersion).

To corroborate the confocal data, retinal cell cultures were cultured in medium alone or supplements and after 6d of culturing, the cells were harvested, fixed and subjected to Rhodopsin-immunobased magnetic separation to provide single Photoreceptor analysis. A flow chart outlining the procedure and a plotter of Rhodopsin-bearing cells backgated on total retinal cells are depicted in Fig 5A and 5B respectively. Isolated photoreceptors (>90% purity) were probed with anti-Rhodopsin antibodies in combination with anti-trkANGFR specific antibodies. As shown in Fig 5, high trkANGFR protein (C) and mRNA (D) expression were quantified in photoreceptors isolated from NGF treated cultures, with respect to ANA treated ones (total retinal cells). The results strongly suggested that photoreceptors express trkANGFR receptor and NGF mediates both survival and neuritis outgrowth effects, as ANA drastically reduced or nearly inhibited (Figs 3, 4 and 5).

Fig 5. trkANGF expression in isolated untreated and NGF-treated photoreceptors.

Fig 5

Open in a new tab

Photoreceptors were isolated from p10 retinal cells that were cultured alone (untreated) or stimulated with NGF or neutralized (ANA) for 6 consecutive days. (A) Photoreceptor isolation was performed as described in M&M. (B) Representative side scatter (FSC/SSC) showing the Rhodopsin backgating over a total retinal cell population (10000 events). (C-D) TrkANGFR protein (C) and target gene (D) expression in photoreceptors isolated from cultures exposed to NGF (50ng/mL) or ANA (500ng/mL). Note the increased trkANGFR expression upon NGF exposure. (DAPI nuclear staining; Magnifications: A,B: x400; C-H; x600/oil immersion).

NGF modulates Bax and Bcl2 expression in p10-isolated photoreceptors

Finally, to provide univocally the NGF effect on photoreceptor survival, Bax and Bcl2 expression were quantified by WB analysis and real time PCR. As shown in Fig 6, a decrease of Bax (A) and an increase of Bcl2 (B) proteins were detected in NGF-treated isolated photoreceptors, as compared to untreated ones (*p<0.05 in the graphics). Corroborating data were obtained with real time PCR, as shown by the decreased expression of Bax (C) and the increased expression of Bcl2 mRNAs (D) (*p<0.05 in the graphics).

Fig 6. NGF modulates Bax and Bcl2 expression in photoreceptors.

Fig 6

Open in a new tab

Photoreceptors were isolated from p10 retinal cells that were cultured alone (untreated) or stimulated with NGF or neutralized with ANA or ANA/NGF for 6 consecutive days. The histograms show respectively Bax and Bcl2 protein (A-B) and target gene (C-D) expression in photoreceptors isolated from cultures exposed to NGF (50ng/mL), ANA (500ng/mL) and ANA(500ng/mL)/NGF(50ng/mL). Note the increased Bax and decreased Bcl2 expression upon NGF exposure. Similar effects were not observed upon neutralizations (ANA, ANA/NGF). Relative protein levels are expressed as ratio to that of GAPDH. The target gene expression was calculated according to the Rest analysis and expressed as 2log fold-changes with respect to control. *p<0.05

Discussion

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether photoreceptors isolated from retina of RCS rats with RP express NGF-receptors and are affected by direct NGF exposure. Photoreceptors were isolated from ten day-old rats (herein shorten as p10), based on our previous time-course studies showing that photoreceptor degeneration in RCS begin during the second week of post-natal age [16,17]. By the way, whether photoreceptors express NGF-receptors and whether NGF exerts a direct role on photoreceptors, are still open questions.

As a main output of the study, photoreceptors isolated from retina of rats with RP express trkANGFR and co-express trkANGFR and rhodopsin as evaluated with immune-localization and western blot analyses. The observation that photoreceptors express both mRNA and protein specific for trkANGFR is consistent with the hypothesis that NGF exerts a direct action on photoreceptors of rats with RP. The results also revealed that the direct exposure to NGF enhances the expression of both rhodopsin and trkANGFR, implying a potential survival activity [26]. Finally, the fact that these effects are blocked by ANA and NGF/pre-incubated with ANA, that inhibit the biological activity of NGF, indicate that the effect of NGF is strictly dependent by NGF and not due to other factors released by retinal cells. These observations confirmed and extended previous in vivo findings that NGF can protect and delay photoreceptor degeneration [16,18].

NGF exposure also stimulated neuritis outgrowth in isolated photoreceptors, as detected by confocal analysis. It is worth mentioning that the neuritis outgrowth promotes neural plasticity by stimulating the formation of new neuronal pathways [38] as well as the neuronal recovery following ischemic/chemical injury within the visual, peripheral and central nervous systems [16,17,28].

Corroborated by previous in vivo studies, all the above reported findings support the hypothesis of a protective NGF role in the mechanism of photoreceptor death [17,18].

One critical question raised by this protective action of NGF on photoreceptors is the mechanism through which NGF exerts this protective effect. It has been shown in a consistent number of NGF-target cells that by binding to trkANGFR, NGF up-regulates Bcl-2, a well-known protein exerting a crucial role in protecting cell from apoptosis through a prevention of caspase activation [34,37,39–41]. Our data show that NGF exposed photoreceptors express high levels of Bcl2 and low levels of Bax, supporting the hypothesis that NGF prevents photoreceptor cell death trough anti-apoptotic mechanism(s). The protective effects of the exogenous presence of NGF reinforce this hypothesis. It is therefore possible that the reduced expression of NGF in the retinal photoreceptor layer of rat with RP might be a critical signal that leads progressively to photoreceptor degeneration. To support, it was previously reported that the retina synthesizes and releases NGF and it was hypothesized that exogenous NGF administration can delay and/or protects photoreceptor degeneration [15,16,18]. The herein presented data indicate that NGF acts directly of photoreceptor survival.

To summarize, RP is a group of inherited ocular human disease in which photoreceptor degeneration leads to visual loss and eventually to blindness [1]. A number of findings published over the last two decades suggest that NGF, the first discovered and best characterized neurotrophic factor, is an endogenous neuroprotective molecule and a potential player in the pathogenesis not only for numerous peripheral and brain neurons, but also for visual cells, including damaged corneal cells retinal ganglion cells and photoreceptors [13,42]. NGF takes part in the proliferation, differentiation and functional activity of human, rabbit and rat corneal and retinal cells [27,43–45]. NGF biological activity is mediated by two distinct receptors (trkANGFR and p75NTR) and strictly dependent on their cell surface expression ratio [25,26,46–48]. We previously described that intraocular or topical eye NGF administration can delay and protect retinal ganglion cells from degeneration [19–21,30]. Indeed, we recently reported that intravitreal NGF injection protects RP photoreceptors from degeneration [13,16–18]. Although these in vivo results seem to clearly support the hypothesis that NGF acts on degenerating photoreceptors, a clear demonstration of a direct NGF effect has not yet been provided. The present findings on cultures of RP photoreceptors represent the first evidence that NGF acts directly on these cells.

Taken together, these in vitro and previous in vitro/in vivo studies on NGF administration support the hypothesis that the purified NGF molecule represent a critical survival factor not only for RGC degeneration, as observed in Glaucoma and Maculopathy [21,38], but also for photoreceptor degeneration. The availability of human recombinant NGF might encourage pursuing further studies.

Acknowledgments

This study was partially supported by the project “NGF on Retinitis Pigmentosa” (RF-2010-2318561) to LA and MLR. The findings of this study are part of the PhD program of MLR (University of Rome Tor Vergata). BOB and AM were supported by the Italian Ministry of Health and Fondazione Roma (Italy).

Data Availability

All relevant data are within the paper.

Funding Statement

This study was partially supported by the project “NGF on Retinitis Pigmentosa” (RF-2010-2318561) to L. Aloe and M.L. Rocco. The findings of this study are part of the PhD program of M.L.R (University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy). B.O. Balzamino and A. Micera were supported by the Italian Ministry of Health and Fondazione Roma (Italy). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

References

  • 1. Bourne MC, Campbell DA, Tansley K. Hereditary degeneration of the rat retina. Br J Ophthalmol. 1938;22: 613–623. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2. Strauss O, Stumpff F, Mergler S, Wienrich M, Wiederholt M. The Royal College of Surgeons rat: an animal model for inherited retinal degeneration with a still unknown genetic defect.Acta Anat 1998;162(2–3): 101–111. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3. Lohr HR, Kuntchithapautham K, Sharma AK, Rohrer B. Multiple, parallel cellular suicide mechanisms participate in photoreceptor cell death. Exp Eye Res. 2006;83: 380–389. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4. Inglehearn CF. Molecular genetics of human retinal dystrophies. Eye 1998;12 (Pt 3b): 571–579. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5. Musarella MA, Macdonald IM. Current concepts in the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa. J Ophthalmol. 2011;2011: 753547 10.1155/2011/753547 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 6. El-Hifnawi E, Kühnel W. The effect of anti-inflammatory drug administration on the course of retinal dystrophy in RCS rats. Prog Clin Biol Res. 1989;314: 343–355. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7. Lopez R, Gouras P, Kjeldbye H, Sullivan B, Reppucci V, Brittis M, et al. Transplanted retinal pigment epithelium modifies the retinal degeneration in the RCS rat. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1989;30: 586–588. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8. Gouras P, Du J, Gelanze M, Kwun R, Kjeldbye H, Lopez R. Transplantation of photoreceptors labeled with tritiated thymidine into RCS rats. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1999;32: 1704–1707. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9. Li L, Bales ES, Peterson CA, Legerski RJ. Characterization of molecular defects in xeroderma pigmentosum group C. Nat Genet. 1993;5: 413–417. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10. Little CW, Castillo B, DiLoreto DA, Cox C, Wyatt J, del Cerro C, et al. Transplantation of human fetal retinal pigment epithelium rescues photoreceptor cells from degeneration in the Royal College of Surgeons rat retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1996;37: 204–211. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11. Dunaief JL, Kwun RC, Bhardwaj N, Lopez R, Gouras P, Goff SP. Retroviral gene transfer into retinal pigment epithelial cells followed by transplantation into rat retina. Hum Gene Ther. 1995;6: 1225–1229. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12. Faktorovich EG, Steinberg RH, Yasumura D, Matthes MT, LaVail MM. Photoreceptor degeneration in inherited retinal dystrophy delayed by basic fibroblast growth factor. Nature. 1990;347: 83–86. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 13. LaVail MM, Unoki K, Yasumura D, Matthes MT, Yancopoulos GD, Steinberg RH. Multiple growth factors, cytokines, and neurotrophins rescue photoreceptors from the damaging effects of constant light. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1992;89: 11249–11253. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 14. Perry J, Du J, Kjeldbye H, Gouras P. The effects of bFGF on RCS rat eyes. Curr Eye Res. 1995;14: 585–592. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 15. Lambiase A, Aloe L. Nerve growth factor delays retinal degeneration in C3H mice. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1996;1: S96–S100. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16. Amendola T, Aloe L. Developmental expression of nerve growth factor in the eye of rats affected by inherited retinopathy: correlative aspects with retinal structural degeneration. Arch Ital Biol. 2002;140: 81–90. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17. Amendola T, Fiore M, Aloe L. Postnatal changes in nerve growth factor and brain derived neurotrophic factor levels in the retina, visual cortex, and geniculate nucleus in rats with retinitis pigmentosa. Neurosci Lett. 2003;345: 37–40. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18. Lenzi L, Coassin M, Lambiase A, Bonini S, Amendola T, Aloe L. Effect of exogenous administration of nerve growth factor in the retina of rats with inherited retinitis pigmentosa. Vision Res 2005;45: 1491–1500. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19. Siliprandi R, Canella R, Carmignoto G. Nerve growth factor promotes functional recovery of retinal ganglion cells after ischemia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1993;34: 3232–3245. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20. Carmignoto G, Maffei L, Candeo P, Canella R, Comelli C. Effect of NGF on the survival of rat retinal ganglion cells following optic nerve section. J Neurosci. 1989;9: 1263–1272. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 21. Lambiase A, Aloe L, Centofanti M, Parisi V, Mantelli F, Colafrancesco V, et al. Experimental and clinical evidence of neuroprotection by nerve growth factor eye drops: Implications for glaucoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2009;106: 13469–13474. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 22. Levi-Montalcini R. The nerve growth factor 35 years later. Science 1987;237: 1154–1162. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23. McAllister AK. Neurotrophins and neuronal differentiation in the central nervous system. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2001;58: 1054–1060. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 24. von Bartheld CS. Neurotrophins in the developing and regenerating visual system. Histol Histopathol. 1998;13: 437–459. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 25. Chao MV and Hempstead BL. p75 and Trk: a two-receptor system. Trends Neurosci. 1995;18: 321–326. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 26. Micera A, Lambiase A, Stampachiacchiere B, Bonini S, Bonini S, Levi-Schaffer F. Nerve growth factor and tissue repair remodeling: trkA(NGFR) and p75(NTR), two receptors one fate. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2007;18: 245–256. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 27. Sofroniew MV, Howe CL, Mobley WC. Nerve growth factor signaling neuroprotection, and neural repair. Annu Rev Neurosci 2001;24: 1217–1281. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 28. Fischer W, Wictorin K, Bjorklund A, Williams LR, Varon S, Gage FH. Amelioration of cholinergic neuron atrophy and spatial memory impairment in aged rats by nerve growth factor. Nature. 1987;329: 65–68. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 29. Tuszynski MH, Thal L, Pay M, Salmon DP, Bakay R, Patel P, et al. A phase 1 clinical trial of nerve growth factor gene therapy for Alzheimer disease. Nat Med. 2000;11: 551–555. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 30. Colafrancesco V, Coassin M, Rossi S, Aloe L. Effect of eye NGF administration on two animal models of retinal ganglion cells degeneration. Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2011;47: 284–289. 10.4415/ANN_11_03_08 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 31. Bocchini V, Angeletti PU. The nerve growth factor: purification as a 30,000-molecular-weight protein. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1969;64: 787–794. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 32. Stoeckel K, Schwab M, Thoenen H. Specificity of retrograde transport of nerve growth factor (NGF) in sensory neurons: a biochemical and morphological study. Brain Res. 1975;89: 1–14. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 33. Angelucci C, Maulucci G, Lama G, Proietti G, Colabianchi A, Papi M, et al. Epithelial-stromal interactions in human breast cancer: effects on adhesion, plasma membrane fluidity and migration speed and directness. PLoS One. 2012;7: e50804 10.1371/journal.pone.0050804 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 34. Coassin M, Lambiase A, Sposato V, Micera A, Bonini S, Aloe L. Retinal p75 and bax overexpression is associated with retinal ganglion cells apoptosis in a rat model of glaucoma. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2008;246: 1743–1749. 10.1007/s00417-008-0913-5 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 35. Pfaffl MW, Horgan GW, Dempfle L. Relative expression software tool (REST) for groupwise comparison and statistical analysis of relative expression results in real-time PCR. Nucleic Acids Res. 2002;30: e36 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 36. Sancho-Pelluz J, Arango-Gonzalez B, Kustermann S, Romero FJ, van Veen T, Zrenner E, et al. Photoreceptor cell death mechanisms in inherited retinal degeneration. Mol Neurobiol. 2008;38: 253–269. 10.1007/s12035-008-8045-9 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 37. Greene LA, Tischler AS. Establishment of a noradrenergic clonal line of rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells which respond to nerve growth factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1976;73: 2424–2428. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 38. Lambiase A, Coassin M, Tirassa P, Mantelli F, Aloe L. Nerve growth factor eye drops improve visual acuity and electrofunctional activity in age-related macular degeneration: a case report. Ann Ist Super Sanità. 2009;45: 439–442. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 39. Mantelli F, Lambiase A, Colafrancesco V, Rocco ML, Macchi I, Aloe L. NGF and VEGF effects on retinal ganglion cell fate: new evidence from an animal model of diabetes. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2014;24: 247–253. 10.5301/ejo.5000359 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 40. Katai N, Yanagidaira T, Senda N, Murata T, Yoshimura N. Expression of c-Jun and Bcl-2 family proteins in apoptotic photoreceptors of RCS rats. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2006;50: 121–127. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 41. Chen Q, Wang H, Liao S, Gao Y, Liao R, Little PJ, et al. Nerve growth factor protects retinal ganglion cells against injury induced by retinal ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Growth Factors. 2015;24: 1–11. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 42. Micera A, Lambiase A, Aloe L, Bonini S, Levi-Schaffer F, Bonini S. Nerve growth factor involvement in the visual system: implications in allergic and neurodegenerative diseases. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2004;15: 411–417. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 43. Chan KY, Haschke RH. Action of a trophic factor(s) from rabbit corneal epithelial culture on dissociated trigeminal neurons. J Neurosci. 1981;1: 1155–1162. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 44. Micera A, Lambiase A, Puxeddu I, Aloe L, Stampachiacchiere B, Levi-Schaffer F, et al. Nerve growth factor effect on human primary fibroblastic-keratocytes: possible mechanism during corneal healing. Exp Eye Res. 2006;83: 747–757. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 45. Frade JM, Bovolenta P, Rodríguez-Tébar A. Neurotrophins and other growth factors in the generation of retinal neurons. Microsc Res Tech. 1999;45: 243–251. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 46. Meakin SO, Shooter EM. The nerve growth factor family of receptors. Trends Neurosci. 1992;15: 323–331. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 47. Barde YA. The nerve growth factor family. Prog Growth Factor Res. 1990;2: 237–248. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 48. Zaccaro MC, Ivanisevic L, Perez P, Meakin SO, Saragovi HU. p75 Co-receptors regulate ligand-dependent and ligand-independent Trk receptor activation, in part by altering Trk docking subdomains. J Biol Chem. 2001;276: 31023–31029. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Data Availability Statement

All relevant data are within the paper.

Articles from PLoS ONE are provided here courtesy of PLOS

RESOURCES