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Abstract #8632 Published in IGR 5-1
Vaccination stimulates retinal ganglion cell regeneration in the adult optic nerve
Ellezam B; Bertrand J; Dergham P; McKerracher LNeurobiology of Disease 2003; 12: 1-10
The authors examined whether vaccination of adult rats with spinal cord homogenate (SCH) can promote regeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after microcrush lesion of the optic nerve. Injured animals vaccinated with SCH showed axon growth into the optic nerve and such regeneration was not observed in animals vaccinated with liver homogenate (LH). Regeneration was not a consequence of neuroprotection since the authors' vaccine did not protect RGCs from axotomy-induced cell death. Sera of vaccinated animals were tested for antibodies against myelin-associated glycoprotein, NogoA, Nogo-66 receptor, or chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPG), but no significant levels were detected. Antibodies to myelin basic protein were present in the serum of some SCH-vaccinated animals. In culture, serum from SCH-vaccinated animals promoted RGC growth on myelin but not on CSPG. The results show that the effect of the pro-regenerative vaccine is mediated by antibodies to SCH. However, the authors were not able to detect a significant immune reaction to growth inhibitory proteins, suggesting alternative mechanisms for the success of vaccination to promote regeneration.
Dr. L. McKerracher, Department de Pathol./Biol. Cell., Universite de Montreal, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montreal, Que. H3C 3J7, Canada. mckerral@patho.umontreal.ca
Classification:
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
