Research ReportPSA modification of NCAM supports the survival of injured retinal ganglion cells in adulthood

•Reduction of PSA-NCAM by Endo-N enhances the toxicity of KA to the RGC.•PSA-NCAM supports the survival of injured RGCs in adulthood.•RGC density is higher in NCAM-/- and lower in St8SiaII-/- mice.

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is known as the cell surface glycoprotein, and it belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily of adhesion molecules. Polysialic acid (PSA) is a carbohydrate attached to NCAM via either of two specific sialyltransferases: ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV. Polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) mediates cell interactions, plays a role in axon growth, migration, synaptic plasticity during development and cell regeneration. Some evidence has shown that PSA-NCAM supports the survival of neurons. It was demonstrated that PSA-NCAM is present in abundance in the retina during development and in adulthood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PSA-NCAM promotes retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival in transgenic mice with deficiencies in sialyltransferases or NCAM or after the administration of endoneuraminidase (Endo-N). RGC injury was induced by intravitreal administration of kainic acid (KA). These studies showed that injection of Endo-N after 14 days enhances the toxicity of KA to RGCs in wild-type (WT) mice by 18%. In contrast, in knockout mice (ST8SiaII−/−, ST8SiaIV−/−, NCAM−/−), survival of RGCs after KA injury did not change. Deficiencies of either ST8SiaII or ST8SiaIV did not influence the level of PSA-NCAM in the adult retina, however, in neonatal animals, decreased levels of PSA-NCAM were observed. In knockout ST8SiaII−/− adults, a reduced number of RGCs was detected, whereas in contrast, increased numbers of RGCs were noted in NCAM−/− mice. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that PSA-NCAM supports the survival of injured RGCs in adulthood. However, the role of PSA-NCAM in the adult retina requires further clarification.