Affiliations: Department of Physiology, Medical University of
Silesia, Katowice, Poland | Department of Neurology, Medical University of
Silesia, Katowice, Poland | Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of
Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Note: [] Corresponding author: Prof. Joanna Lewin-Kowalik, MD, PhD,
Department of Physiology, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18,
40-752 Katowice, Poland. Tel.: +48 32 2525087; Fax: +48 32 2526077; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Purpose: Study the effect of peripheral nerve extracts and BDNF on
retinal ganglion cell (RGC) regeneration in adult rats. Methods: Postmicrosomal fractions were obtained from 7-day,
predegenerated, as well as non-predegenerated peripheral adult rats nerves.
Autologous connective tissue chambers filled with fibrin were implanted into a
gap-injury site in the optic nerve. Chambers contained either fibrin, the
fractions, or BDNF. RGCs retrogradely labeled with DiI were counted, the
distance covered by regrowing fibers traced with rhodamine B was measured, and
number of myelinated fibers in the middle part of the chambers was
estimated. Results: BDNF and predegenerated nerve extracts enhanced RGC fiber
outgrowth. The regeneration was significantly weaker in the groups with
non-predegenerated nerve extracts, as well as fibrin, and was absent in the
control group. Conclusion: Predegenerated nerve extracts, as well as BDNF, applied
to injured optic nerves by means of connective tissue chambers, are able to
induce retinal ganglion cell regeneration.
