Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The (GH) gene, identical to that in the pituitary, is expressed in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in chickens, rats, mice and humans. Retinal GH is a neuroprotective factor, as it promotes RGC survival and, in humans, the concentration of GH in vitreous fluid may be a marker for ocular disease. Increasing retinal GH expression could thus have therapeutic potential. The factors regulating retinal GH expression are, however, unknown. The possibility that GH-releasin...

Introduction: GH and its receptor (GHR) are expressed in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the eyes of chick embryos, and in mouse, rat and human eyes. Within the retina, exogenous GH has neuroprotective actions, mediated by caspase-dependent and caspase-independent mechanisms that may also be dependent upon IGF1 signaling. Conversely, the immunoneutralization of endogenous GH promotes apoptosis in the retina and in isolated RCGs. The functional relevance of retinal GH was furt...