The in vitro and in vivo actions of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) suggest that endogenous CNTF plays a role in nervous system development and maintenance. CNTF produces most, possibly all, of its effects by binding to a protein referred to as CNTF receptor alpha (CNTFRalpha). Information on CNTFRalpha tissue expression and dynamics would be advanced by the availability of reagents suitable...

PURPOSE To study the expression of the neurotrophic pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a protein with neurotrophic and neuronal-survival activities, by the human ocular ciliary epithelium. METHODS Total RNA extracted from human and bovine ocular tissues were screened by Northern blot analysis with cDNA probes for PEDF. Antibodies to PEDF were used to monitor its synthesis and secretion...

PURPOSE: To characterize the site of expression of the α subunit of the receptor for ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTFRα) in the retina of a variety of mammalian species, and determine whether CNTFRα is localized to photoreceptor cells. METHODS: The cellular distribution of CNTFRα (protein) was examined by immunocytochemistry in the adult retinas of several mammalian species that included mouse...

The effects of the protein kinase inhibitor K-252a on the in vitro survival of different populations of chick embryonic neurons were tested. Following dissociation from the corresponding ganglia by trituration, the neurons were cultured on laminin-coated dishes in both the presence and absence of their respective neurotrophic factor. K-252a alone promoted long-term neuronal survival of dorsal r...