We previously showed that motor nerves are superior to sensory nerves in promoting axon regeneration after spinal root avulsion. It is, however, impractical to use motor nerves as grafts. One potential approach to enhancing axonal regeneration using sensory nerves is to deliver trophic factors to the graft. Here, we examined the regulation of receptors for brain-derived neurotrophic factor, gli...

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) forms a functional receptor complex containing the CNTF receptor, gp130, and the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR). However, the nature and stoichiometry of the receptor-mediated interactions in this complex have not yet been fully resolved. We show here that signaling by CNTF, but not by LIF or oncostatin M (OSM), was abolished in cells overexpressin...

Synthesis of the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and its specific receptor (CNTFRalpha) is widespread in the intact CNS, but potential biological roles for this system remain elusive. Contradictory results have been obtained concerning a possible effect on the morphological and biochemical phenotype of astrocytes. To reassess this question, we have taken advantage of adenovirus-mediated gene...

Increasing numbers of children are suffering from hypoxia-related visual impairments such as retinopathy prematurity. This study aimed to investigate whether all trans retinoic acid reverses hypoxia related in retinal vasculature. Oxygen induced model was established mouse and the expression ciliary neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor inducible 1 detected. We found that leve...

Embryonic and neonatal neurons require specific trophic supplements for their survival and the induction of transmitter-synthesizing enzymes in vivo and in vitro. Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF, bFGF) and the closely related astroglial growth factors AGF-1 and AGF-2 were studied for putative neurotrophic functions using dissociated, highly neuron-enriched cultures from chick an...