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Adult Retina (adult + retina)
Selected AbstractsDifferential distribution of voltage-gated potassium channels Kv 1.1,Kv1.6 in the rat retina during developmentJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007M. Höltje Abstract The discharge behavior of neurons depends on a variable expression and sorting pattern of voltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channels that changes during development. The rodent retina represents a neuronal network whose main functions develop after birth. To obtain information about neuronal maturation we analyzed the expression of subunits of the Kv1 subfamily in the rat retina during postnatal development using immunocytochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. At postnatal day 5 (P5) all the ,-subunits of Kv1.1,Kv1.6 channels were found to be expressed in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), most of them already at P1 or P3. Their expression upregulates postnatally and the pattern and distribution change in an isoform-specific manner. Additionally Kv1 channels are found in the outer and inner plexiform layer (OPL, IPL) and in the inner nuclear layer (INL) at different postnatal stages. In adult retina the Kv 1.3 channel localizes to the inner and outer segments of cones. In contrast, Kv1.4 is highly expressed in the outer retina at P8. In adult retina Kv1.4 occurs in rod inner segments (RIS) near the connecting cilium where it colocalizes with synapse associated protein SAP 97. By using confocal laser scanning microscopy we showed a differential localization of Kv1.1-1.6 to cholinergic amacrine and rod bipolar cells of the INL of the adult retina. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Zebrafish Cx35: Cloning and characterization of a gap junction gene highly expressed in the retinaJOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 6 2003Elizabeth McLachlan Abstract The vertebrate connexin gene family encodes protein subunits of gap junction channels, which provide a route for direct intercellular communication. Consequently, gap junctions play a vital role in many developmental and homeostatic processes. Aberrant functioning of gap junctions is implicated in many human diseases. Zebrafish are an ideal vertebrate model to study development of the visual system as they produce transparent embryos that develop rapidly, thereby facilitating morphological and behavioral testing. In this study, zebrafish connexin35 has been cloned from a P1 artificial chromosome (PAC) library. Sequence analysis shows a high degree of similarity to the Cx35/36 orthologous group, which are expressed primarily in nervous tissue, including the retina. The gene encodes a 304-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 35 kDa. Injection of zebrafish Cx35 RNA into paired Xenopus oocytes elicited intercellular electrical coupling with weak voltage sensitivity. In development, Cx35 is first detectable by Northern analysis and RT-PCR, at 2 days post-fertilization (2 dpf), and in the adult it is expressed in the brain and retina. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the Cx35 protein is expressed in two sublaminae of the inner plexiform layer of the adult retina. A similar pattern was seen in the 4 and 5 dpf retina, but no labeling was detected in the retina of earlier embryos. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] 2126: Retinal and cortical functions in adult mice lacking cannabinoid receptorsACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010C CASANOVA Purpose Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) has been localized in the adult retina of rodents. It is expressed in cones, horizontal, bipolar, some amacrine and ganglion cells. The expression of the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) mRNA in the retina of adult rats was also reported. The goal of the present study was to investigate the functional roles of CB1R and CB2R in the retina by comparing retinal electrophysiological responses and cortical optical signals in normal and genetically modified mice. Methods Experiments were conducted on four different groups of C57BL/6 mice: CB1R wild type (WT), CB1R knockout (KO), CB2R WT and KO. Scotopic electroretinograms (ERG) luminance-response functions and photopic ERGs were recorded. In a subset of CB1 groups, intrinsic signals acquired by optical brain imaging were used to determine spatial frequency, contrast sensitivity and retinotopic maps in the visual cortex. Results The CB1R KO retina showed a stronger photopic response. No differences were observed for scotopic responses. For the CB2R groups, the scotopic b-wave response was stronger in the KO mice. No differences could be seen between visual cortices maps with respect to SF and contrast sensitivity. Retinotopic maps differed only along the azimuth. Significant differences were observed between hemodynamic response functions. Conclusion These results indicate that CB receptors can play a regulatory effect on the neurovascular coupling at the retinal and cortical levels and on the functional organization of the mice visual cortex along the azimuth Axis.(NSERC) [source] Cooperative effects of bcl-2 and AAV-mediated expression of CNTF on retinal ganglion cell survival and axonal regeneration in adult transgenic miceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 12 2006Simone G. Leaver Abstract We used a gene therapy approach in transgenic mice to assess the cooperative effects of combining anti-apoptotic and growth-promoting stimuli on adult retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and axonal regeneration following intraorbital optic nerve injury. Bi- cistronic adeno-associated viral vectors encoding a secretable form of ciliary neurotrophic factor and green fluorescent protein (AAV-CNTF-GFP) were injected into eyes of mice that had been engineered to over-express the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2. For comparison this vector was also injected into wildtype (wt) mice, and both mouse strains were injected with control AAV encoding GFP. Five weeks after optic nerve injury we confirmed that bcl-2 over-expression by itself promoted the survival of axotomized RGCs, but in contrast to previous reports we also saw regeneration of some mature RGC axons beyond the optic nerve crush. AAV-mediated expression of CNTF in adult retinas significantly increased the survival and axonal regeneration of RGCs following axotomy in wt and bcl-2 transgenic mice; however, the effects were greatest in the transgenic strain. Compared with AAV-GFP-injected bcl-2 mice, RGC viability was increased by about 50% (mean, 36 738 RGCs per retina), and over 1000 axons per optic nerve regenerated 1,1.5 mm beyond the crush. These findings exemplify the importance of using a multifactorial therapeutic approach that enhances both neuroprotection and regeneration after central nervous system injury. [source] | ||||||||||