Inhibition of p75NTR in glia potentiates TrkA-mediated survival of injured retinal ganglion cells

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms that limit the ability of retinal neurons to respond to neurotrophic factor stimulation following axonal injury. In the adult retina, nerve growth factor (NGF) hinds to TrkA (expressed by neurons) and p75(NTR) (expressed by Muller glia), but fails to promote the survival of axotomized retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). We addressed the functional role of TrkA and p75(NTR) in this lack of Of survival by using peptidomimetic agonistic or antagonistic ligands specific for each receptor. While administration of exogenous NGF failed to rescue axotomized RGCs, administration of selective TrkA agonists led to robust. neuroprotection. Surprisingly, we found a remarkable survival of axotomized RGCs following pharmacological inhibition of p75(NTR) or in p75(NTR) knockout mice. Combination of NGF or TkA agonists with p75(NTR) antagonists further potentiated RGC neuroprotection in vivo, an effect that was greater than each treatment alone. NGF can therefore be neuroprotective when acting oil neuronal TrkA receptors but engagement of p75(NTR) on glial cells antagonizes this effect. Our data reveal a novel mechanism by which p75(NTR) expressed on retinal glia can profoundly influence neuronal survival. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.