NGF-Tf Conjugate
Prevents Degeneration of Substantia Nigra Neurons in a Mouse Model of
Parkinson’s Disease
LI Xiao-Biao, LIAO Gong-Shan*, HUANG Shao-Ming**,
SHU Yu-Yan, TANG Sheng-Xi
( Snake Venom Research Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021,
China )
Abstract Nerve
growth factor(NGF) was purified from Naja naja atra
snake venom and conjugated to transferrin(Tf). This conjugate was intravenously
injected into a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Both
immunohistochemical staining and pathological detection showed that the NGF-Tf
conjugate could prevent the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons
located in substantia nigra and the cell counts of NGF group were 2
330.0±260.3, and those of the MPTP group and the control group were 797.0±121.4
and 2 381.0±158.0, respectively. In addition, electron microscopic examination
revealed significant protection against demyelination and vacuolation in
subtantia nigra neurons in contrast to the control group. The i.v. injected
NGF-Tf conjugate also reversed the neurodegenerative changes such as
karyopyknosis, chromatolysis and intracytoplasmic inclusion in diseased
neurons.
Key words nerve growth factor； transferrin； blood-brain barrier； Parkinson’s disease
*Corresponding author： Tel/Fax： 86-771-5353495； e-mail： [email protected]
**Anatomy Department of Guangxi Medical University