Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the lateral geniculate body of monocular form deprivation amblyopic kittens

Abstract

Purpose: The present study compared the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the lateral geniculate body between form deprivation amblyopia kittens and normal kittens to examine the significance of BDNF in the lateral geniculate body in the pathogenesis of amblyopia. Methods: Twenty kittens were divided into control group ( n = 10) and deprivation group ( n = 10). A black opaque eye mask was placed to cover the right eye of the deprivation group. Pattern visual-evoked potentials (PVEPs) were detected weekly in all kittens .After the kittens in the deprivation group developed monocular amblyopia, the lateral geniculate bodies of all kittens were removed. The expression of BDNF in the lateral geniculate body of the two groups was compared by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: The latency of the P100 wave in the right eye of the deprivation group was longer than that of the left eye and that of the right eye of the control group ( p < 0.05), and the amplitude decreased ( p < 0.05). The number and average optical density of BDNF-positive cells in the deprivation group were lower than those in the control group ( p < 0.05), and the expression of BDNF in the deprivation group was lower than that in the control group ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: The expression of BDNF in the lateral geniculate body of the amblyopic kittens decreased, and the decrease in BDNF promoted the development of amblyopia. These results demonstrate that BDNF in the lateral geniculate body plays an important role in visual development.

ARC/Arg3.1 expression in the lateral geniculate body of monocular form deprivation amblyopic kittens

“…Layers A, C, and C2 received projections from contralateral ocular fibers, while layers A1 and C1 received projections from ipsilateral ocular fibers. Some studies have found that C-fos, GABA, and brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the contralateral lateral geniculate body of the amblyopic eyes are downregulated compared with those in the ipsilateral amblyopic eyes in kittens with monocular form deprivation amblyopic eyes [26][27][28].…”

ARC/Arg3.1 expression in the lateral geniculate body of monocular form deprivation amblyopic kittens

“…Layers A, C and C2 received projections from contralateral ocular bers, while layers A1 and C1 received projections from ipsilateral ocular bers. Some studies have found that C-fos, GABA and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the contralateral lateral geniculate body of the amblyopic eyes are down-regulated compared with those in the ipsilateral amblyopic eyes in kittens with monocular form deprivation amblyopic eyes [26][27][28] . Therefore, this is also the basis for our study of form deprivation amblyopia by using the contralateral lateral geniculate body of model eyes.…”

Expression of Early Growth Responsive Gene-1 in The Visual Cortex of Monocular Form Deprivation Amblyopic Kittens

“…In the past, our team used the the Suture Covering Method 19 , that is, using black covering cloth instead of eyelid suture to model amblyopia. The continuous observation of PVEP changes in experimental animals was realized by suture while preventing eye injury caused by eyelid suture.…”