May 2004
Volume 45, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2004
Secretion of Pro–Nerve Growth Factor and Expression of Proprotein Convertases by Cells of the Human Optic Nerve Head
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • J. Fuller
    Cell Biology & Genetics, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
  • W. Lambert
    Cell Biology & Genetics, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
  • B. Srinivasan
    Cell Biology & Genetics, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
  • R.S. Roque
    Cell Biology & Genetics, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
  • A.F. Clark
    Cell Biology & Genetics, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
    Alcon Research Ltd., Fort Worth, TX
  • R.J. Wordinger
    Cell Biology & Genetics, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  J. Fuller, None; W. Lambert, None; B. Srinivasan, None; R.S. Roque, None; A.F. Clark, Alcon Research Ltd. E; R.J. Wordinger, Alcon Research Ltd. F.
  • Footnotes
    Support  NIH Grant EY12783, NSF Sponsored Project SCORE
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2004, Vol.45, 2172. doi:
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      J. Fuller, W. Lambert, B. Srinivasan, R.S. Roque, A.F. Clark, R.J. Wordinger; Secretion of Pro–Nerve Growth Factor and Expression of Proprotein Convertases by Cells of the Human Optic Nerve Head . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2004;45(13):2172.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: The mechanism for the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) in glaucoma remains to be elucidated. Recent data has shown that proneurotrophins are capable of enabling cell death via the p75 receptor pathway. We have shown previously that optic nerve head astrocytes (ONA) and lamina cribrosa (LC) cells express neurotrophins but lack expression of p75 (Lambert et al. IOVS, 42:2315–23. 2001). The purpose of this study is to examine the secretion of proneurotophins by optic nerve head cells as well as to characterize the expression patterns of the proprotein convertases (PC), an endoprotease family capable of converting proneurotrophins into their mature form. Methods: Well characterized LC and ONA cell lines were cultured, and were analyzed for pro nerve growth factor (NGF) as well as convertase message. Cell lysate as well as conditioned media was analyzed for the presence of pro NGF via Western Blot analysis. PC message was analyzed via RT–PCR. Results: The 32 kDa form of pro nerve growth factor is found in conditioned media from ONA and LC cells cultured for 48 hours. Using RT–PCR, mRNA for furin, PC1, PC5, and PC7 is expressed in both LC and ONA cell lines. PACE4 is expressed variably in both LC and ONA cell lines. Conclusions: This study demonstrates for the first time that proneurotrophins are secreted from the LC and ONA cell lines. In addition, this study demonstrates that members of the PC family are expressed in these cell lines. This expression is unique from previous reported data on PC expression in glial cells. Therefore, it may be possible that proneurotrophin processing in the optic nerve head may be regulated differentially in glaucomatous conditions. CR: F(RJW); E(AFC).

Keywords: growth factors/growth factor receptors • astrocytes: optic nerve head • proteomics 
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