ABSTRACT
Glaucoma,optical neuritis and trauma are optic nerve injury-related diseases.These ocular diseases cause irreversible damage of the vision and even blindness.The study on optic nerve regeneration is a powerful approach for rescuing vision and improving the quality of life of patients.Therefore,how to promote optic nerve regeneration is always the focus in ophthalmology.In recent years,great progression has achieved by modulation of cellular signal pathway,usage of glial cells,stem cells and neurotrophic factor,etc,which lays a basis for the treatment of optic nerve injury.Ophthalmologist should trace and participate in these researches to promote the development of regeneration medicine.This review summarizes these new approaches after discussing factors effecting optic nerve regeneration briefly and proposes questions to answer.
ABSTRACT
One common feature of glaucoma, optic neuritis and some other optic nerve diseases is sustained and irreversible apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Ginkgolide B is believed to protect neurons in brain and contribute to neurite outgrowth and synapse formation. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGB761) and ginkgolide B on axonal growth of RCGs. Retina explants were cultured in three-dimensional tissue culture system, and the number and length of neurites were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to confirm that the neurite observed was axon of RGCs. TUNEL and activated caspase-3 staining were also applied to observe RGCs apoptosis. The result shows that neurites of RGCs treated with EGB761 or ginkgolide B were more and longer than those in control. The neurite is proved to be the axon of RGCs by immunostaining. Furthermore, compared with control group, RGCs treated with ginkgolide B showed decreased cellular apoptosis and inhibited caspase-3 activation. These results suggest ginkgolide B can promote RGCs axon growth by protecting RGCs against apoptosis.