VEGFD Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells and, consequently, Capillaries against Excitotoxic Injury.

ABSTRACT: In the central nervous system, neurons and the vasculature influence each other. While it is well described that a functional vascular system is trophic to neurons and that vascular damage contributes to neurodegeneration, the opposite scenario in which neural damage might impact the microvasculature is less defined. In this study, using an in vivo excitotoxic approach in adult mice as a tool to cause specific damage to retinal ganglion cells, we detected subsequent damage to endothelial cells in retinal capillaries. Furthermore, we detected decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGFD) in retinal ganglion cells. In vivo VEGFD supplementation via neuronal-specific viral-mediated expression or acute intravitreal delivery of the mature protein preserved t

SUBMITTER: Schluter A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7005343 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature