Purpose: To observe whether optic nerve can regenerate by peripheral nerve transplantation and GDNF gene transfer.Methods: Optic nerve was transected about 2 mm posterior to the eye to establish experimental models of optic neuropathy. Sciatic nerve was sutured to the sheath of injury optic nerve by a 10 - 0 nylon, pcDNA3-GDNF was smeared to the joint and injected to the vitreous cavity. The regenerated retinal ganglion cells axons were observed by HRP. The retina and optic nerve were observed by pathohistological methods.Results: Some retinal ganglion cells with regenerated axons could be seen a week after transplantation with large cell bodies. The cells could be identified by HRP. The regenerated nerve fibers grew to the transplanted sciatic nerve. Then the number of retinal ganglion cells with regenerated axons increased with time going. Only a few regenerated retinal ganglion cells could be seen two months after transplantation. The large retinal ganglion cells were seen to have plenty of
Jian Ge, Yanyan Li, Yehong Zhuo, Yan GuoZhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China
