Evidence mapPaperPMID 40244606Full record

ArticleInvestigative ophthalmology & visual science2025

Targeted Neuroprotection of Retinal Ganglion Cells Via AAV2-hSyn-NGF Gene Therapy in Glaucoma Models.

Xinlei Zhu, Benxiang Qi, Zhongmei Ren, Lin Cong, Xiaojing Pan, Qingjun Zhou, Bi Ning Zhang, Lixin Xie

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Xinlei ZhuQingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
Benxiang QiEye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China.
Zhongmei RenEye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China.
Lin CongEye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China.
Xiaojing PanEye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China.
Qingjun ZhouEye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China.
Bi Ning ZhangEye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China.
Lixin XieEye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of delivering nerve growth factor (NGF) to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) through adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (AAV2) carrying a neuronal-specific human synapsin (hSyn) promoter. Methods: AAV2-hSyn-NGF was injected intravitreally in three glaucoma models: optic nerve crush (ONC), microbead-induced ocular hypertension (MB), and genetic glaucoma model (DBA). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) determined the optimal injection concentration of AAV vector. Flow cytometry monitored immune responses. Transduction efficiency was quantified using green fluorescent protein (GFP) co-localization with RGC-specific marker RNA-binding protein with multiple splicing (RBPMS). The RGCs' density, retinal nerve fiber density, ganglion cell complex thickness, and positive scotopic threshold response (pSTR) were measured to assess structural and functional outcomes of the RGCs. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U tests or Kruskal-Wallis tests were utilized to ascertain the statistical significance (P < 0.05). Results: The optimal concentration of AAV vector for intravitreal injection was determined to be 1 × 1010 vector particles (VPs) per eye. The use of the hSyn promoter significantly enhanced targeting specificity to RGCs, resulting in a transduction efficiency of 46.64% ± 2.18%. Administration of AAV2-hSyn-NGF effectively preserved the RGCs' density, nerve fiber layer integrity, and the thickness of ganglion cell complex, while maintaining the RGCs' function across three glaucoma models. Furthermore, this gene delivery system did not elicit detectable immune responses or structural damage to the retina. Conclusions: The AAV2-hSyn-NGF gene therapy offers a safe and effective neuroprotective strategy for RGCs across multiple glaucoma models, making it a promising candidate for future clinical trials in patients with glaucoma.

Indexed as

DependovirusGenetic TherapyGlaucomaNerve Growth FactorNeuroprotectionRetinal Ganglion CellsSynapsinsAnimalsDisease Models, AnimalEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFlow CytometryGenetic VectorsHumansIntraocular PressureIntravitreal InjectionsMaleNerve Growth FactorSynapsins

Identifiers

PMID40244606
PMCPMC12013675

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.