Experience-driven plasticity of visual cortex limited by myelin and Nogo receptor.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: McGee AW
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2856689 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Myelin-associated proteins such as Nogo-A are major inhibitors of neuronal plasticity that contribute to permanent neurological impairments in the injured CNS. In the present study, we investigated the influence of Nogo-A on visual recovery after retinal injuries in mice. Different doses of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) were injected in the vitreous of the left eye to induce retinal neuron death. The visual function was monitored using the optokinetic response (OKR) as a behavior test, and electroretinogram (ERG) and local field potential (LFP) recordings allowed to assess changes in retinal and cortical neuron activity, respectively. Longitudinal OKR follow-ups revealed reversible visual deficits after injection of NMDA???1 nmole in the left eye and concomitant functional improvement in the contralateral visual pathway of the right eye that was let intact. Irreversible OKR loss observed with NMDA???2?nmol was correlated with massive retinal cell death and important ERG response decline. Strikingly, the OKR mediated by injured and intact eye stimulation was markedly improved in Nogo-A KO mice compared with WT animals, suggesting that the inactivation of Nogo-A promotes visual recovery and plasticity. Moreover, OKR improvement was associated with shorter latency of the N2 wave of Nogo-A KO LFPs relative to WT animals. Strikingly, intravitreal injection of anti-Nogo-A antibody (11C7) in the injured eye exerted positive effects on cortical LFPs. This study presents the intrinsic ability of the visual system to recover from NMDA-induced retinal injury and its limitations. Nogo-A neutralization may promote visual recovery in retinal diseases such as glaucoma.
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