Growth Differentiation Factor 11 Promotes Survival of Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells in Vitro through Smad2/3 Activation

Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) was recently identified as a rejuvenating factor that promoted neurogenesis in aged mice. Previous work has revealed that gdf11 mRNA is expressed in the developing retina, and GDF11 protein can signal retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to grow dendrites in vitro. The developmental expression pattern of GDF11 in RGCs and the impact of GDF11 on mammalian RGCs remain unknown. The current study investigated 1) the developmental time course of GDF11 expression in RGCs, 2) the effect of GDF11 on RGC survival and axonal growth in vitro, and 3) the mechanisms mediating GDF11 responses in RGCs. Retinae were collected from C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice at different developmental stages to evaluate the expression of GDF11 in RGCs. Postnatal RGCs were also cultured in the presence of GDF11 treatment. The results show that GDF11 does not promote axon growth but enhances RGC survival in vitro through activation of pSmad2/3.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Neuroscience

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Yoo, Hyung-Suk

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2017 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2017-12051

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/40163