Cell Therapy Modulates Expression of Tax1-Binding Protein 1 and Synaptotagmin IV in a Model of Optic Nerve Lesion

PURPOSE. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) have been used with considerable success to improve regeneration and/ or functional recovery in animal models of neurologic diseases. Injected into the host, they migrate to the damaged areas and release cytokines and/or trophic factors, which are capable of altering the genetic program of the injured tissue cells. In this study, there was a search for genes with altered expression in a model of optic nerve crush and cell therapy. METHODS. Optic nerve crush was followed by an intravitreous injection of BMMCs or vehicle in adult rats. After 14 days, we obtained a transcriptome screening of the retinas using differential display and automatic sequencing, followed by qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry of selected genes and proteins. RESULTS. Among the differentially displayed genes, transcription of the antiapoptotic Tax1-binding protein 1 (Tax1BP1) and Synaptotagmin IV (Syt IV), an immediate early gene, is increased in the treated group. Tax1BP1 expression is robust in the ganglion cell layer and is significantly increased by cell