Neurotrophic factors and depolarization do not enhance viability and process regrowth on a purified set of chick embryo retinal ganglion cells

• Published in: Neuroscience letters 2002-08, Vol.328 (3), p.221-224
• Main Authors: Brocco, Marcela A, Panzetta, Pedro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Survival - physiology; Cells, Cultured; Cellular Senescence - physiology; Chick Embryo; Electrophysiology; Eye and associated structures. Visual pathways and centers. Vision; Eye Proteins - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gangliosides - metabolism; GAP-43 Protein - metabolism; Mature chick retinal ganglion cells; Nerve Growth Factors - physiology; Nerve Regeneration - physiology; Neurofilament Proteins - metabolism; Neuronal cell culture; Retinal Ganglion Cells - physiology; Survival and process regrowth; Thy-1 Antigens - metabolism; Thy-1 immunopanning; Trophic factor effects; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0304-3940; 1872-7972
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-3940(02)00516-5

As retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) develop, the amount of membrane glycoprotein Thy-1 increases, consequently, the RGC binding to Thy-1 antibody enlarges. This phenomenon sustained Thy-1 panning purification of two sets: loose bound cells (LBCs); and tight bound cells (TBCs). Thy-1, neurofilament and growth associated protein-43 characterized both sets as RGCs, but the expression of RA4 antigen and gangliotetraosylgangliosides distinguished LBCs as immature and TBCs as mature. The cell composition in 4-day TBC cultures remained unchanged as immunocharacterization indicated. These cells survived and regrew their processes in plain medium, however, trophic factors (TFs) and depolarization did not enhance their development. This peculiar behavior might be due to their neural maturity, whereas in LBC cultures, TFs produced positive effects.