Nerve Growth Factor Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells Related to Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress by Inhibiting IRE1-JNK-CHOP Signaling Pathway

Background Under various physiological conditions, endoplasmic reticulum stress can induce apoptotic cell death, leading to brain and retinal neuronal cell death, but the relations of ER stress-induced apoptosis and the nerve growth factor's therapeutic effect in Glaucoma optic neuropathy still unclear. Methods An endoplasmic reticulum stress model was established in ganglion cells using TG, the endoplasmic reticulum stress inducer. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the protective effect of NGF on retinal ganglion cells. Western blot was used to detect apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bad and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins GRP78, IRE1, JNK and CHOP. Results MTT assay and flow cytometry showed NGF can protect the apoptosis of ganglion cells. Western blot analysis showed the level of pro-apoptotic protein Bad was decreased and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was increased after NGF treatment. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced proteins GRP78, IRE1, JNK and CHOP are counter- acted by NGF. Conclusion NGF protects retinal ganglion cells related to inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress by inhibiting IRE1-JNK-CHOP signaling pathway.