Glial- derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a growth factor shown to exert long-term neuroprotection when secreted from Müller cells in a rat model of retinitis pigmentosa [68] and increase long-term ganglion cell survival in glaucoma [69] was also strongly up-regulated at all times post-ESMV administration. This evidence concerns the gene GDNF and retinitis pigmentosa.