Ciliary neurotrophic factor induces glial fibrillary acidic protein in retinal Müller cells through the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway.

Purpose: Intravitreal injection of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is known to induce glial intermediate filament protein (GFAP) expression in retinal Müller cells. Because CNTF binding can activate multiple signaling kinases, we have examined the involvement of JAK/STAT pathway in GFAP induction in Müller cells.

Methods: CNTF was injected intravitreally into mouse eyes.