Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2012, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (4): 295-301.

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Erythropoietin upregulates growth associated protein-43 expression and promotes retinal ganglion cell axonal regeneration in vivo after optic nerve crush

Haibo Tan1, Xin Kang2, Yisheng Zhong1, Xi Shen1, Yu Cheng1, Qin Jiao1, Lianfu Deng3   

  1. 1 Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
    2 Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
    3 Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Shanghai 200025, China
  • Received:2011-10-18 Revised:2011-12-01 Online:2012-02-05 Published:2012-02-05
  • Contact: Yisheng Zhong, M.D., Chief physician, Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China thbbobo.ok@163.com
  • About author:Haibo Tan☆, Doctor, Lecturer, Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China

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Abstract:

In this study, we established a rat model of optic nerve crush to explore the effects of erythropoietin on retinal ganglion cell axonal regeneration. At 15 days after injury in erythropoietin treated rats, retinal ganglion cell densities in regions corresponding to the 1/6, 3/6 and 5/6 ratios of the retinal radius were significantly increased. In addition, the number of growth associated protein-43 positive axons was significantly increased at different distances (50, 250 and 500 μm) from the crush site after erythropoietin treatment. Erythropoietin significantly increased growth associated protein-43 protein levels in the retina after crush injury, as determined by western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. These results demonstrate that erythropoietin protects injured retinal ganglion cells and promotes axonal regeneration.

Key words: erythropoietin, retinal ganglion cells, axonal regeneration, optic nerve crush, neural regeneration