Participation of p75NTR in a mouse model of Choroidal Neovascularization

SUBIRADA, P. V.; JURADO, A. E.; SANCHEZ, M.C.; VAGLIENTI, M.V.; OBRIEN, M.P.; ANASTASIA, A.; FIERRO, J. A.; LUNA, J.D.; BARCELONA, P.F.

Carlos Paz

Congreso; XXXIV Reunión Anual SAN 2019; 2019

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencias

In industrialized countries, the most frequent cause of blindness in the elder population is age related macular degeneration (AMD). In the wet form of AMD, neuronal demise is thought to be a consequence of the inflammatory response and the disruption of retinal architecture by proliferating vessels. However, the cells involved and the mechanisms underlying these processes still remain cryptic. It is known that the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) participates in multiple vascular disorders, inflammation and neurodegeneration. This study aims to investigate the role of p75NTR in vascular and neuronal alterations in a mouse model of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Our results show a significant increase in p75NTR protein expression in retinal extracts of CNV mice by Western blot assay 7 days after the insult. Immunofluorescence staining on choroidal whole mounts evidenced p75NTR labeling in macrophages (F4/80 positive cells), but not in pericytes (NG2 positive cells), nor in endothelial cells (isolectin IB4 positive). Unlike neurons, Müller glial cells showed a significant p75NTR expression increase in the injured area on retinal section of CNV mice. Notably, the CNV protocol in p75NTRKO mice exhibited reduced visual impairment compared to wild type mice, evaluated by electroretinography. These results suggest a possible involvement of p75NTR in neuro-vascular alterations. Undergoing experiments will determine if p75NTR is a relevant target for AMD.