GDNF and PEDF effects on Müllerr cells and on photoreceptor survival in 2D-monolayer and 3D-reggregate cultures of the avian retina

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Paul Gottlob Layer
• Subject Area: Developmental Neurobiology
• Term: from 2008 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 85276476

Neurotrophic factors may become useful tools for therapies. In particular, pathologies of the retina have responded favourably to growth factors treatment in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, glaucoma and others. Potentially protecting the retina from degeneration, factors such as CNTF, BDNF, and particularly GDNF and PEDF have become objects of intense retinal research; successful preclinical studies are ongoing. Thereby, a major focus refers to protective interactions between Müller glial cells (MCs) and photoreceptors (PRs). With this project, we will analyse individual and combined effects of GDNF and PEDF on retinal tissue organisation and photoreceptor survival, by using conventional monolayer cultures and 3- dimensional histotypic reaggregated retinal spheres of the chick embryo. Specifically, a response of Müller cells to these factors, and the following interactions with photoreceptor development and survival will be analysed by using a wide range of immuno-histological and molecular techniques.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants