BACKGROUND The classification of uterine sarcomas is based on distinctive morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics,increasingly supported by molecular genetic diagnostics.Data on neurotrophic tyrosine recept...BACKGROUND The classification of uterine sarcomas is based on distinctive morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics,increasingly supported by molecular genetic diagnostics.Data on neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase(NTRK)gene fusionpositive uterine sarcoma,potentially aggressive and morphologically similar to fibrosarcoma,are limited due to its recent recognition.Pan-TRK immunohistochemistry(IHC)analysis serves as an effective screening tool with high sensitivity and specificity for NTRK-fusion malignancies.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a malignant mesenchymal tumor originating from the uterine cervix,which was pan-TRK IHC-positive but lacked NTRK gene fusions,accompanied by a brief literature review.A 55-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and distension,exhibiting significant ascites and multiple solid pelvic masses.Pelvic examination revealed a tumor encompassing the uterine cervix,extending to the vagina and uterine corpus.A punch biopsy of the cervix indicated NTRK sarcoma with positive immunochemical pan-TRK stain.However,subsequent next generation sequencing revealed no NTRK gene fusion,leading to a diagnosis of poorly differentiated,advanced-stage sarcoma.CONCLUSION The clinical significance of NTRK gene fusion lies in potential treatment with TRK inhibitors for positive sarcomas.Identifying such rare tumors is crucial due to the potential applicability of tropomyosin receptor kinase inhibitor treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and a major cause of morbidity and mortality.Progress in breast cancer therapeutics has been attained with the introduction of targeted therapies for specific ...BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and a major cause of morbidity and mortality.Progress in breast cancer therapeutics has been attained with the introduction of targeted therapies for specific sub-sets.However,other subsets lack targeted interventions and thus there is persisting need for identification and characterization of molecular targets in order to advance breast cancer therapeutics.AIM To analyze the role of lesions in neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase(NTRK)genes in breast cancers.METHODS Analysis of publicly available genomic breast cancer datasets was performed for identification and characterization of cases with fusions and other molecular abnormalities involving NTRK1,NTRK2 and NTRK3 genes.RESULTS NTRK fusions are present in a small number of breast cancers at the extensive GENIE project data set which contains more than 10000 breast cancers.These cases are not identified as secretory in the database,suggesting that the histologic characterization is not always evident.In the breast cancer The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)cohort the more common molecular lesion in NTRK genes is amplification of NTRK1 observed in 7.9% of breast cancers.CONCLUSION Neurotrophin receptors molecular lesions other than fusions are observed more often than fusions.However,currently available NTRK inhibitors are effective mainly for fusion lesions.Amplifications of NTRK1,being more frequent in breast cancers,could be a viable therapeutic target if inhibitors efficacious for them become available.展开更多
Tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrkB） plays an important role in long-term potentiation and memory formation.The present study used all-trans retinoic acid to induce TrkB expression in SH-SY5Y cells,and observed the eff...Tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrkB） plays an important role in long-term potentiation and memory formation.The present study used all-trans retinoic acid to induce TrkB expression in SH-SY5Y cells,and observed the effects of levetiracetam （LEV） on TrkB expression.Following exposure to 10,50,and 100 μg/mL LEV,the number of TrkB-positive cells,and average absorbance value were increased.Results demonstrated that LEV can induce TrkB expression in SH-SY5Y cells.展开更多
·AIM: To determine the effects of laser photocoagulation on serum levels of angiopoietin-1(Ang-1),angiopoietin-2(Ang-2), soluble angiopoietin receptor Tie-2(Tie-2), Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio and vascular endothelial grow...·AIM: To determine the effects of laser photocoagulation on serum levels of angiopoietin-1(Ang-1),angiopoietin-2(Ang-2), soluble angiopoietin receptor Tie-2(Tie-2), Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in patients with type 2diabetes mellitus(T2DM) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR). We also explored the role of the Ang/Tie system in PDR.·METHODS:Totally 160patientswithT2 DM, including50 patients with non-diabetic retinopathy(NDR), 58 patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR), and52 patients with PDR were enrolled in this study. Serum Ang-1, Ang-2, Tie-2 receptor and VEGF levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for all patients and were repeated in 26 patients who underwent laser photocoagulation two months after the procedure.·RESULTS:ThemedianlevelsofAng-2andVEGFinserum were significantly higher in the NPDR group(4.23 ng/mL and 303.2 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the NDR group(2.67 ng/mL and 159.8 pg/mL, respectively, P 【0.01), with the highest level in the PDR group(6.26 ng/mL and531.2 pg/mL, respectively, P 【0.01). The median level of Ang-1 was significantly higher in the NPDR group(10.77ng/mL) compared to the NDR group(9.31 ng/mL) and the PDR groups(9.54 ng/mL)(P 【0.05), while no difference was observed between the PDR and NDR groups. Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio of PDR group was lowest in three groups(1.49 vs 2.69 and 2.90, both P 【0.01). The median level of Tie-2was not significantly different among three groups(P 】0.05).Ang-2 was positively correlated with VEGF and Tie-2 in the PDR and NPDR groups(both P 【0.05). Among the 26 patients who underwent laser photocoagulation, serum Ang-2 and VEGF levels significantly decreased(both P 【0.05), whereas serum Ang-1 level and Ang-1/Ang-2ratio were weakly increased(P 】0.05). The median levels of Ang-2 and VEGF in serum were highest in PDR group,however, Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio of PDR group was lowest in three groups.·CONCLUSION: Laser photocoagulation can reduce serum Ang-2 and VEGF levels. The Ang/Tie system and VEGF play an important role in the development and progression of T2 DM patients with PDR.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in western countries. Approximately one-quarter of newly diagnosed patients for CRC have metastases, and a further 40%-50% experience dise...Colorectal cancer(CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in western countries. Approximately one-quarter of newly diagnosed patients for CRC have metastases, and a further 40%-50% experience disease recurrence or develop metastases after all standard therapies. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of CRC and subsequently developing novel therapeutic targets is crucial to improve management of CRC and patients' long-term survival. Several tyrosine kinase receptors have been implicated in CRC development, progression and metastasis, including epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and vascular EGFR. Recently, tropomyosin-related kinase B(Trk B), a tyrosine kinase receptor, has been reported in CRC and found to clearly exert several biological and clinical features, such as tumor cell growth and survival in vitro and in vivo, metastasis formation and poor prognosis. Here we review the significance of Trk B and its ligand brain derived-neurotrophic factor in CRC. We focus on their expression in CRC tumor samples, and their functional roles in CRC cell lines and in in vivo models. Finally we discuss therapeutic approaches that can lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents for treating Trk B-expressing CRC tumors.展开更多
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor was utilized in the present study to treat cell injury models induced by aggregated β-amyloid（25 35）. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and western blot analysis sh...Brain-derived neurotrophic factor was utilized in the present study to treat cell injury models induced by aggregated β-amyloid（25 35）. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and western blot analysis showed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor provided neuroprotection against cellular apoptosis by suppressing the decline in β-amyloid（25 35）-induced cell activity and the increasing ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. After treating pheochromocytoma cells with tyrosine kinase receptor B receptor inhibitor K252a, brain-derived neurotrophic factor reverses the above- mentioned changes. The experimental findings suggested that brain-derived neurotrophic factor prevented β-amyloid peptide-induced cellular apoptosis by modulating Bax/Bcl-2 expression, and this effect was associated with binding to the specific tyrosine kinase receptor B receptor.展开更多
AIM To elucidate the underlying mechanism that microRNA-22(miR-22) promotes the apoptosis of rat pancreatic acinar cells(AR42 J) and the elements that regulate the expression of miR-22.METHODS One hundred nanomoles pe...AIM To elucidate the underlying mechanism that microRNA-22(miR-22) promotes the apoptosis of rat pancreatic acinar cells(AR42 J) and the elements that regulate the expression of miR-22.METHODS One hundred nanomoles per liter of caerulein(Cae)was administrated to induce the apoptosis of AR42 J cells and the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry analysis. An amylase assay kit was used to measure the amylase expression level in the supernatant. Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)was adopted to measure miR-22 expression. We used online tools to predict the potential transcription promoter of miR-22 and the binding sites, which was further identified by using luciferase reporter analysis,chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP) and ChIPqP CR assays. Then, a mimic of miR-22, Nr3 c1 plasmid encoding the glucocorticoid receptor(GR), and siNr3 c1 were used to transfect AR42 J cells, respectively.The mRNA expression of miR-22, Nr3 c1, and Erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 3(ErbB3) was confirmed by qRT-PCR and the apoptosis rate of AR42 J cells was detected by flow cytometry analysis. Western blot was used to detect the expression of ErbB3, GR, PI3 k, PI3 kp85α, Akt, p-Akt, Bad, Bax, Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase3.RESULTS After inducing apoptosis of AR42 J cells in vitro, the expression of miR-22 was significantly increased by2.20 ± 0.26 and 4.19 ± 0.54 times, respectively, at3 h and 6 h in comparison with the control group.As revealed by qRT-PCR assay, the expression of miR-22 was 78.25 ± 6.61 times higher in the miR-22 mimic group relative to the miRNA control group,accompanied with an obviously increased acinar cell apoptosis rate(32.53 ± 1.15 vs 18.07 ± 0.89, P =0.0006). The upregulation of miR-22 could suppress its target gene, ErbB3, and the phosphorylation of PI3 k and Akt. Furthermore, we predicted the potential transcription promoter of miR-22 and the binding sites using online tools. Luciferase reporter analysis and sitedirected mutagenesis indicated that the binding site(GACAGCCATGTACA) of the GR, which is encoded by the Nr3 c1 gene. Downregulation of the expression of GR could upregulate the expression of miR-22, which further promoted the apoptosis of AR42 J cells.CONCLUSION GR transcriptionally represses the expression of miR-22,which further promotes the apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells by downregulating the downstream signaling pathway.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） promotes retinal ganglion cell survival. However, the protective mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE： To investigate changes in retinal tyrosine kina...BACKGROUND： Exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） promotes retinal ganglion cell survival. However, the protective mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE： To investigate changes in retinal tyrosine kinase receptor B （trkB） expression and effects of exogenous BDNF on trkB activation in a rat model of acute high intraocular pressure （HtOP）. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya Medical School, Central South University from January 2004 to August 2006. MATERIALS： Rabbit anti-BDNF and anti-trkB.FL（full-length） polyclonal antibodies were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA; rabbit anti-p-trkB polyclonal antibodies were purchased from Cellsignal, USA. METHODS： A total of 48 healthy, adult, Sprague Dawiey rats were randomly assigned to acute HIOP （without BDNF pre-treatment） and BDNF pre-treated groups, with 24 animals in each group. In the BDNF pre-treated group, the left eyes were intravitreally injected with 3 pg/kg BDNF 2 days prior to HIOP. Rats in the acute HIOP group were not pre-treated with BDNE HIOP models were established by increased intraocular pressure in the left eyes until the b-wave of flash electroretinogragh disappeared and pressure was maintained for 60 minutes. The right eyes of all rats were not treated and served as the normal controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Retinal structure and cell numbers in the ganglion cell layer （GCL） were detected by Nissl staining; expression of trkB and phosphorylated trkB in the rat retina were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： A greater number of GCL neurons were observed in the pre-treated group compared to the acute HIOP group （P 〈 0.05）. TrkB expression was significantly increased following HIOP at days 1 and 3 （P 〈 0.05）, but expression varied between retinal areas. Although trkB expression decreased at 7 days, phosphorylated trkB dramatically decreased with increasing time （P 〈 0.05）. TrkB expression in BDNF pre-treated rats was similar to the acute HIOP group at early injury time points. Nevertheless, trkB expression was significantly decreased compared to the acute HIOP group at 7 days （P 〈 0.05）, and phosphorylated trkB expression was significantly greater compared to the acute HIOP group at each time point （P〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： TrkB expression displayed temporal and spatial changes in the rat retina following acute HIOP, and trkB up-regulation suggested that more BDNF was required for treating the injured retina. Exogenous BDNF partially ameliorated decreased expression of phosphorylated trkB and provided protection to the injured retina, to a certain degree, following HIOP.展开更多
基金Supported by Grant of the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute,funded by the Ministry of Health&Welfare,Republic of Korea,No.RS-2022-KH129889.
文摘BACKGROUND The classification of uterine sarcomas is based on distinctive morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics,increasingly supported by molecular genetic diagnostics.Data on neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase(NTRK)gene fusionpositive uterine sarcoma,potentially aggressive and morphologically similar to fibrosarcoma,are limited due to its recent recognition.Pan-TRK immunohistochemistry(IHC)analysis serves as an effective screening tool with high sensitivity and specificity for NTRK-fusion malignancies.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a malignant mesenchymal tumor originating from the uterine cervix,which was pan-TRK IHC-positive but lacked NTRK gene fusions,accompanied by a brief literature review.A 55-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and distension,exhibiting significant ascites and multiple solid pelvic masses.Pelvic examination revealed a tumor encompassing the uterine cervix,extending to the vagina and uterine corpus.A punch biopsy of the cervix indicated NTRK sarcoma with positive immunochemical pan-TRK stain.However,subsequent next generation sequencing revealed no NTRK gene fusion,leading to a diagnosis of poorly differentiated,advanced-stage sarcoma.CONCLUSION The clinical significance of NTRK gene fusion lies in potential treatment with TRK inhibitors for positive sarcomas.Identifying such rare tumors is crucial due to the potential applicability of tropomyosin receptor kinase inhibitor treatment.
文摘BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and a major cause of morbidity and mortality.Progress in breast cancer therapeutics has been attained with the introduction of targeted therapies for specific sub-sets.However,other subsets lack targeted interventions and thus there is persisting need for identification and characterization of molecular targets in order to advance breast cancer therapeutics.AIM To analyze the role of lesions in neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase(NTRK)genes in breast cancers.METHODS Analysis of publicly available genomic breast cancer datasets was performed for identification and characterization of cases with fusions and other molecular abnormalities involving NTRK1,NTRK2 and NTRK3 genes.RESULTS NTRK fusions are present in a small number of breast cancers at the extensive GENIE project data set which contains more than 10000 breast cancers.These cases are not identified as secretory in the database,suggesting that the histologic characterization is not always evident.In the breast cancer The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)cohort the more common molecular lesion in NTRK genes is amplification of NTRK1 observed in 7.9% of breast cancers.CONCLUSION Neurotrophin receptors molecular lesions other than fusions are observed more often than fusions.However,currently available NTRK inhibitors are effective mainly for fusion lesions.Amplifications of NTRK1,being more frequent in breast cancers,could be a viable therapeutic target if inhibitors efficacious for them become available.
文摘Tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrkB） plays an important role in long-term potentiation and memory formation.The present study used all-trans retinoic acid to induce TrkB expression in SH-SY5Y cells,and observed the effects of levetiracetam （LEV） on TrkB expression.Following exposure to 10,50,and 100 μg/mL LEV,the number of TrkB-positive cells,and average absorbance value were increased.Results demonstrated that LEV can induce TrkB expression in SH-SY5Y cells.
文摘·AIM: To determine the effects of laser photocoagulation on serum levels of angiopoietin-1(Ang-1),angiopoietin-2(Ang-2), soluble angiopoietin receptor Tie-2(Tie-2), Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in patients with type 2diabetes mellitus(T2DM) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR). We also explored the role of the Ang/Tie system in PDR.·METHODS:Totally 160patientswithT2 DM, including50 patients with non-diabetic retinopathy(NDR), 58 patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR), and52 patients with PDR were enrolled in this study. Serum Ang-1, Ang-2, Tie-2 receptor and VEGF levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for all patients and were repeated in 26 patients who underwent laser photocoagulation two months after the procedure.·RESULTS:ThemedianlevelsofAng-2andVEGFinserum were significantly higher in the NPDR group(4.23 ng/mL and 303.2 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the NDR group(2.67 ng/mL and 159.8 pg/mL, respectively, P 【0.01), with the highest level in the PDR group(6.26 ng/mL and531.2 pg/mL, respectively, P 【0.01). The median level of Ang-1 was significantly higher in the NPDR group(10.77ng/mL) compared to the NDR group(9.31 ng/mL) and the PDR groups(9.54 ng/mL)(P 【0.05), while no difference was observed between the PDR and NDR groups. Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio of PDR group was lowest in three groups(1.49 vs 2.69 and 2.90, both P 【0.01). The median level of Tie-2was not significantly different among three groups(P 】0.05).Ang-2 was positively correlated with VEGF and Tie-2 in the PDR and NPDR groups(both P 【0.05). Among the 26 patients who underwent laser photocoagulation, serum Ang-2 and VEGF levels significantly decreased(both P 【0.05), whereas serum Ang-1 level and Ang-1/Ang-2ratio were weakly increased(P 】0.05). The median levels of Ang-2 and VEGF in serum were highest in PDR group,however, Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio of PDR group was lowest in three groups.·CONCLUSION: Laser photocoagulation can reduce serum Ang-2 and VEGF levels. The Ang/Tie system and VEGF play an important role in the development and progression of T2 DM patients with PDR.
基金Supported by Conseil Régional du Limousin and the CORC ComitéOrientation Recherche Cancer
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in western countries. Approximately one-quarter of newly diagnosed patients for CRC have metastases, and a further 40%-50% experience disease recurrence or develop metastases after all standard therapies. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of CRC and subsequently developing novel therapeutic targets is crucial to improve management of CRC and patients' long-term survival. Several tyrosine kinase receptors have been implicated in CRC development, progression and metastasis, including epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and vascular EGFR. Recently, tropomyosin-related kinase B(Trk B), a tyrosine kinase receptor, has been reported in CRC and found to clearly exert several biological and clinical features, such as tumor cell growth and survival in vitro and in vivo, metastasis formation and poor prognosis. Here we review the significance of Trk B and its ligand brain derived-neurotrophic factor in CRC. We focus on their expression in CRC tumor samples, and their functional roles in CRC cell lines and in in vivo models. Finally we discuss therapeutic approaches that can lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents for treating Trk B-expressing CRC tumors.
文摘Brain-derived neurotrophic factor was utilized in the present study to treat cell injury models induced by aggregated β-amyloid（25 35）. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay and western blot analysis showed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor provided neuroprotection against cellular apoptosis by suppressing the decline in β-amyloid（25 35）-induced cell activity and the increasing ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. After treating pheochromocytoma cells with tyrosine kinase receptor B receptor inhibitor K252a, brain-derived neurotrophic factor reverses the above- mentioned changes. The experimental findings suggested that brain-derived neurotrophic factor prevented β-amyloid peptide-induced cellular apoptosis by modulating Bax/Bcl-2 expression, and this effect was associated with binding to the specific tyrosine kinase receptor B receptor.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31671440
文摘AIM To elucidate the underlying mechanism that microRNA-22(miR-22) promotes the apoptosis of rat pancreatic acinar cells(AR42 J) and the elements that regulate the expression of miR-22.METHODS One hundred nanomoles per liter of caerulein(Cae)was administrated to induce the apoptosis of AR42 J cells and the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry analysis. An amylase assay kit was used to measure the amylase expression level in the supernatant. Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)was adopted to measure miR-22 expression. We used online tools to predict the potential transcription promoter of miR-22 and the binding sites, which was further identified by using luciferase reporter analysis,chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP) and ChIPqP CR assays. Then, a mimic of miR-22, Nr3 c1 plasmid encoding the glucocorticoid receptor(GR), and siNr3 c1 were used to transfect AR42 J cells, respectively.The mRNA expression of miR-22, Nr3 c1, and Erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 3(ErbB3) was confirmed by qRT-PCR and the apoptosis rate of AR42 J cells was detected by flow cytometry analysis. Western blot was used to detect the expression of ErbB3, GR, PI3 k, PI3 kp85α, Akt, p-Akt, Bad, Bax, Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase3.RESULTS After inducing apoptosis of AR42 J cells in vitro, the expression of miR-22 was significantly increased by2.20 ± 0.26 and 4.19 ± 0.54 times, respectively, at3 h and 6 h in comparison with the control group.As revealed by qRT-PCR assay, the expression of miR-22 was 78.25 ± 6.61 times higher in the miR-22 mimic group relative to the miRNA control group,accompanied with an obviously increased acinar cell apoptosis rate(32.53 ± 1.15 vs 18.07 ± 0.89, P =0.0006). The upregulation of miR-22 could suppress its target gene, ErbB3, and the phosphorylation of PI3 k and Akt. Furthermore, we predicted the potential transcription promoter of miR-22 and the binding sites using online tools. Luciferase reporter analysis and sitedirected mutagenesis indicated that the binding site(GACAGCCATGTACA) of the GR, which is encoded by the Nr3 c1 gene. Downregulation of the expression of GR could upregulate the expression of miR-22, which further promoted the apoptosis of AR42 J cells.CONCLUSION GR transcriptionally represses the expression of miR-22,which further promotes the apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells by downregulating the downstream signaling pathway.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30100098, 30570979
文摘BACKGROUND： Exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） promotes retinal ganglion cell survival. However, the protective mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE： To investigate changes in retinal tyrosine kinase receptor B （trkB） expression and effects of exogenous BDNF on trkB activation in a rat model of acute high intraocular pressure （HtOP）. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya Medical School, Central South University from January 2004 to August 2006. MATERIALS： Rabbit anti-BDNF and anti-trkB.FL（full-length） polyclonal antibodies were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA; rabbit anti-p-trkB polyclonal antibodies were purchased from Cellsignal, USA. METHODS： A total of 48 healthy, adult, Sprague Dawiey rats were randomly assigned to acute HIOP （without BDNF pre-treatment） and BDNF pre-treated groups, with 24 animals in each group. In the BDNF pre-treated group, the left eyes were intravitreally injected with 3 pg/kg BDNF 2 days prior to HIOP. Rats in the acute HIOP group were not pre-treated with BDNE HIOP models were established by increased intraocular pressure in the left eyes until the b-wave of flash electroretinogragh disappeared and pressure was maintained for 60 minutes. The right eyes of all rats were not treated and served as the normal controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Retinal structure and cell numbers in the ganglion cell layer （GCL） were detected by Nissl staining; expression of trkB and phosphorylated trkB in the rat retina were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS： A greater number of GCL neurons were observed in the pre-treated group compared to the acute HIOP group （P 〈 0.05）. TrkB expression was significantly increased following HIOP at days 1 and 3 （P 〈 0.05）, but expression varied between retinal areas. Although trkB expression decreased at 7 days, phosphorylated trkB dramatically decreased with increasing time （P 〈 0.05）. TrkB expression in BDNF pre-treated rats was similar to the acute HIOP group at early injury time points. Nevertheless, trkB expression was significantly decreased compared to the acute HIOP group at 7 days （P 〈 0.05）, and phosphorylated trkB expression was significantly greater compared to the acute HIOP group at each time point （P〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： TrkB expression displayed temporal and spatial changes in the rat retina following acute HIOP, and trkB up-regulation suggested that more BDNF was required for treating the injured retina. Exogenous BDNF partially ameliorated decreased expression of phosphorylated trkB and provided protection to the injured retina, to a certain degree, following HIOP.
