
Molecular basis for keratoconus: Lack of TrkA expression and its transcriptional repression by Sp3
Author(s) -
Alessandro Lambìase,
Daniela Merlo,
Cristiana Mollinari,
Paolo Bonini,
Anna Maria Rinaldi,
Mauro D’Amato,
Alessandra Micera,
Marco Coassin,
Paolo Rama,
Stefano Bombardieri,
Enrico Garaci
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.0508516102
Subject(s) - tropomyosin receptor kinase a , nerve growth factor , keratoconus , gene isoform , transcription factor , psychological repression , biology , neurotrophin , regulation of gene expression , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer research , receptor , genetics , gene , cornea , neuroscience
Keratoconus is the most common corneal dystrophy that leads to severe visual impairment. Although the major etiological factors are genetic, the pathogenetic mechanism(s) is unknown. No medical treatments exist, and the only therapeutic approach is corneal transplantation. Recent data demonstrate the involvement of nerve growth factor (NGF) in trophism and corneal wound healing. In this study, we investigated alterations in the NGF pathway in keratoconus-affected corneas and found a total absence of the NGF-receptor TrkA (TrkA(NGFR)) expression and a decreased expression of NGF and p75(NTR). The absence of TrkA(NGFR) expression was associated with a strong increase in the Sp3 repressor short isoform(s) and a lack of the Sp3 activator long isoform. Sp3 is a bifunctional transcription factor that has been reported to stimulate or repress the transcription of numerous genes. Indeed, we found that Sp3 short isoform(s) overexpression in cell culture results in a down-regulation of TrkA(NGFR) expression. We suggest that an imbalance in Sp transcription-factor isoforms may play a role in controlling the NGF signaling, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of keratoconus. This mechanism for the transcriptional repression of the TrkA(NGFR) gene can provide the platform for the development of a therapeutic strategy.