Fig. 2

Knockdown of Tuba1a, but not Tuba1b, inhibits RGC axon regeneration in retinal explants. Control, tuba1a or tuba1b-targeting morpholino-modified antisense oligonucleotides (MO) were delivered to RGCs in vivo by placing MO-soaked Gelfoam on the sectioned optic nerve stump. The next day the Gelfoam was removed and 3 days later retinas were isolated, diced and placed in explant culture for 4 days prior to analysis of neurite outgrowth. Shown are representative images of axon outgrowth. The lower right-hand graph shows Nerve Growth Index (see Experimental methods) for control MO and 2 different MOs, #1 and #2, targeting different tuba1a and tuba1b sequences, respectively. Nerve Growth Index values were normalized to control MO-treated samples that were set at 100%. Error bars are standard error of the mean. Note MOs targeting tuba1a, but not tuba1b, dramatically suppress RGC axon regeneration. Experiments were repeated at least 3 times with each MO.