Neuroprotective effect of various factors on cultured adult human retinal ganglion cells

Purpose. The neuroprotective effects of various growth factors and neurotrophic factors on cultured human retinal ganglion cells (RGC) were tested. Methods. RGC were isolated from donor eyes and cultured with F12 culture medium with 10% fetal bovine serum as previously described. Factors were added to the culture medium separately. Controls consisted of cells cultured with F12 medium without growth factors or neurotrophic factors. Cultures were observed by phase-contrast microscopy and studied by the immunoperoxidase method, stained with anti-Thy 1 and anti-neurofilament antibodies. Results. RGC, identified by their dendritic morphology and positive staining for Thy-1 and neurofilaments, were present in cells cultured with medium supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5). No RGC could be found in cells cultured with medium supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). Conclusions. Using cultured human RGC as a model system, bFGF, BDNF, CDNF and NT-4/5 supported the survival of RGC, while NGF, EGF and PDGF did not. None. Supported by The Glaucoma Foundation, The Achelis Foundation, New York, NY, and The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology Research Funds, New York, NY.