Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the lateral geniculate body of monocular form deprivation amblyopic kittens

Purpose: The present study compared the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the lateral geniculate body between form deprivation amblyopia kittens and normal kittens to examine the significance of BDNF in the lateral geniculate body in the pathogenesis of amblyopia. Methods: Twenty kittens were divided into control group ( n = 10) and deprivation group ( n = 10). A black opaque eye mask was placed to cover the right eye of the deprivation group. Pattern visual-evoked potentials (PVEPs) were detected weekly in all kittens .After the kittens in the deprivation group developed monocular amblyopia, the lateral geniculate bodies of all kittens were removed. The expression of BDNF in the lateral geniculate body of the two groups was compared by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results: The latency of the P100 wave in the right eye of the deprivation group was longer than that of the left eye and that of the right eye of the control group ( p < 0.05), and the amplitude decreased ( p < 0.05). The number and average optical density of BDNF-positive cells in the deprivation group were lower than those in the control group ( p < 0.05), and the expression of BDNF in the deprivation group was lower than that in the control group ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: The expression of BDNF in the lateral geniculate body of the amblyopic kittens decreased, and the decrease in BDNF promoted the development of amblyopia. These results demonstrate that BDNF in the lateral geniculate body plays an important role in visual development.