Progress in studies of effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in degenerative fundus disease

Abstract

Degenerative fundus diseases are a group of outer retinal disease caused by dysfunction of photoreceptors, some of which have the inner layer defection. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to play a key role in the neuronal survival, which accomplishes its protection via receptors, including a low affinity p75 and a high affinity tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB, retinal growth cone filopodia and cofactor of Zinc. It is proved that BDNF can induce differentiation of stem cells and retinal progenitor, in case for the effective retinal transplantation. The protection by BDNF has also been observed through the interaction with retinal neurons such as photoreceptors, bipolar cells, horizontal neurons, ganglion cells and dopaminergic cells, as well as other cells of eyes. Furthermore, BDNF has been used to attenuate the injuries of optic nerve and the application of BDNF combined with other neurotrophic factors and drugs also manifests a certain efficiency.