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Advances on Optic Nerve Regeneration and Therapeutic Strategies

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Regenerative Biology of the Eye

Part of the book series: Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine ((STEMCELL))

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Abstract

Optic nerve regeneration has been a challenge for many research groups around the world. It is used as a model to investigate regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS) and is also the subject of study that helps to understand many eyes’ diseases. In the last two decades, an important progress has been made in the optic nerve regeneration field. Lessons from both cellular and molecular levels have taught researchers important mechanisms involved in the failure of nerve fiber regeneration and also retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) death after an injury. These two events are crucial and lead people to blindness, because RGCs are the projecting neurons from the retina which send visual information to the brain. When stimulated, some signaling pathways have already been described as neuroprotective and proregenerative of the optic nerve, although some studies have demonstrated that these two effects can happen by activation of distinct signaling pathways. The goal in the field of optic nerve regeneration is an effective therapy that can promote great levels of RGCs survival and optic nerve regeneration. To reach this goal, researchers have combined different therapeutic strategies and have shown great levels of regeneration, with some studies showing that optic nerve fibers can reenter the brain in sufficient numbers to cause partial recovery of vision.

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Abbreviations

ATF-3:

Activating transcription factor 3

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Bim:

Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death

cAMP:

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate

Ch:

Chiasm

CHOP:

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein

CNS:

Central nervous system

CNTF:

Ciliary neurotrophic factor

CP:

Cerebral peduncle

CSPG:

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan

CTB:

Cholera toxin B fragment

DLG:

Dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

dLGN:

Dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

DLK:

Dual leucine zipper kinase

DRG:

Dorsal root ganglion

FGF2:

Fibroblast growth factor

GAP-43:

Growth associated protein-43

GDNF:

Glial-derived neurotrophic factor

GTPase:

Guanosine triphosphate hydrolase

Jak:

Janus kinase

KLF:

Krüppel-like factor

KSPG:

Keratin sulfate proteoglycan

LAR:

Leukocyte common antigen-related phosphatase

LGN:

Lateral geniculate nucleus

LINGO1:

Leucine rich repeat and Ig domain containing 1

MAG:

Myelin glycoprotein

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated protein kinases

MTN:

Medial terminal nucleus

mTOR:

Mammalian target of rapamycin

NgR:

Nogo receptor

Ocm:

Oncomodulin

Omgp:

Oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein

OMR:

Optomotor response

OPT:

Tract

OPT:

Olivary pretectal nucleus

PI3 kinase:

Phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase

PN:

Peripheral nerve

PNS:

Peripheral nerve system

PTEN:

Phosphatase and tensin homolog

PTPσ:

Transmembrane protein-tyrosine-phosphatase sigma

Puma:

p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis

RGC:

Retinal ganglion cells

RhoA:

Ras homolog gene family member A, a small GTPase protein

ROCK:

Rho-associated protein kinase

SC:

Superior colliculus

SCN:

Suprachiasmatic nucleus

SOCS3:

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3

SPRR1A:

Small proline-rich protein 1A

STAT:

Signal transducer and activator of transcription

TROY:

TNF receptor family member

vLGN:

Ventral lateral geniculate nucleus

Zym:

Zymosan

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratories for Neuroscience Research in Neurosurgery, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Silmara de Lima, Yoshiki Koriyama, Takuji Kurimoto & Larry I. Benowitz Ph.D.

  2. Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Silmara de Lima, Yoshiki Koriyama & Takuji Kurimoto

  3. Program of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Centre of Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373. Edifício do CCS, Bloco F, sala F2-012, Cidade Universitária, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Silmara de Lima

  4. Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka, 513-8670, Mie, Japan

    Yoshiki Koriyama

  5. Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, 569-8686, Japan

    Takuji Kurimoto

  6. Departments of Surgery and Ophthalmology, and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Larry I. Benowitz Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Silmara de Lima
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  2. Yoshiki Koriyama
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  3. Takuji Kurimoto
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  4. Larry I. Benowitz Ph.D.
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Silmara de Lima or Larry I. Benowitz Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Alice Pébay

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de Lima, S., Koriyama, Y., Kurimoto, T., Benowitz, L.I. (2014). Advances on Optic Nerve Regeneration and Therapeutic Strategies. In: Pébay, A. (eds) Regenerative Biology of the Eye. Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0787-8_12

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