Neurogenesis in the retinal ganglion cell layer of the rat.

The present study has examined the birthdates of neurons in the retinal ganglion cell layer of the adult rat. Rat fetuses were exposed to tritiated thymidine in utero to label neurons departing the mitotic cycle at different gestational stages from embryonic days 12 through to 22. Upon reaching adulthood, rats were either given unilateral injections of horseradish peroxidase into target visual nuclei in order to discriminate (1) ganglion cells from displaced amacrine cells, (2) decussating from non-decussating ganglion cells, and (3) alpha cells from other ganglion cell types; or, their retinae were immunohistochemically processed to reveal the choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive amacrine cells in the ganglion cell layer. Retinae were embedded flat in resin and cut en face to enable reconstruction of the distribution of labelled cells. Retinal sections were autoradiographically processed and then examined for neurons that were both tritium-positive and either horseradish peroxidase-positive or choline acetyltransferase-positive. Tritium-positive neurons in the ganglion cell layer were present in rats that had been exposed to tritiated thymidine on embryonic days E14-E22. Retinal ganglion cells were generated between E14 and E20, the ipsilaterally projecting ganglion cells ceasing their neurogenesis a full day before the contralaterally projecting ganglion cells. Alpha cells were generated from the very outset of retinal ganglion cell genesis, at E14, but completed their neurogenesis before the other cell types, by E17. Tritium-positive, horseradish peroxidase-negative neurons in the ganglion cell layer were present from E14 through to E22, and are interpreted as displaced amacrine cells. Choline acetyltransferase-positive displaced amacrine cells were generated between E16 and E20. Individual cell types showed a rough centroperipheral neurogenetic gradient, with the dorsal half of the retina slightly preceding the ventral half. These results demonstrate, first, that retinal ganglion cell genesis and displaced amacrine cell genesis overlap substantially in time. They do not occur sequentially, as has been commonly assumed. Second, they demonstrate that the alpha cell population of retinal ganglion cells and the choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive population of displaced amacrine cells are each generated over a limited time during the periods of overall ganglion cell and displaced amacrine cell genesis, respectively. Third, they show that the very earliest ganglion cells to be generated in the temporal retina have exclusively uncrossed optic axons, while the later cells to be generated therein have an increasing propensity to navigate a crossed chiasmatic course.     

The distribution of displaced ganglion cells in the retina of the pigeon

Displaced ganglion cells in the pigeon's retina, at the inner margin of the inner nuclear layer, were labelled by retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Large HRP injections were made in order to fill all the retinal projection sites in the thalamus and midbrain. The distribution of labelled cells was studied in retinal whole mounts incubated with tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) substrate for HRP. A maximum of 5,300 HRP labelled displaced ganglion cells was found. They were concentrated in a band of retina centred on the horizontal meridian, with high density areas (of about 110 cells/mm2) near the area centralis and in the mid-temporal retina. This is a different distribution to that of ganglion and inner nuclear layer cells; these are concentrated in the area centralis and red field. The orientation of retinal maps was checked by ophthalmoscopic measurements of the angle of the pecten to the horizontal in alert pigeons; this was found to be approximately 70 degrees. The array of displaced ganglion cells, studied by nearest neighbour distributions, was irregular and nearly random, which is consistent with a system of low spatial acuity. In the central retina only the cell bodies and not the dendrites of small displaced ganglion cells (7.5 microns diameter) were labelled; towards the periphery large displaced ganglion cells (16 microns diameter) with 2-5 radially arranged primary dendrites were found.     

Localisation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactivity in rat and rabbit retinas

The distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) immunoreactivity was examined in rat and rabbit retinas and was compared with the distribution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase reactivity and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) immunoreactivity. An antibody raised against a C-terminal fragment of a cloned rat cerebellar NOS was used to localise NOS immunoreactivity. NOS immunoreactive cells were not detected in rat retinas at postnatal day 1 or 4, but were seen from postnatal day 7 onwards. NOS immunolabelling was seen in a small population of cells in the proximal inner nuclear layer. Most of the labelled cells had the position of amacrine cells and were seen to send processes into the inner plexiform layer. A few labelled cells were at times also seen in the ganglion cell layer, which are likely to correspond to displaced amacrine cells. The same NOS-labelling pattern was seen in rat and rabbit retinas.NADPH-diaphorase staining was observed in both species, in photoreceptor inner segments, in cells with the position of horizontal cells, in a subset of amacrine and displaced amacrine cells, in large cell bodies in the ganglion cell layer, in both plexiform layers, and in endothelium. Colocalisation of NOS immunoreactivity and NADPH-diaphorase staining was only observed among amacrine cells. However, not all NADPH-diaphorase-reactive amacrine cells were found to be NOS immunoreactive. VIP immunoreactivity was also localised in rat retinas in a subpopulation of amacrine cells, but no colocalisation of NOS and VIP immunoreactivity was observed.Our observations indicate that only amacrine cells contain the NOS form recognisable by the antibody used, and suggest that different isoforms of neuronal NOS may be present in retinal cells. Further, the onset of NOS expression in rat amacrine cells appears to occur independently of neuronal activity.Paper in honour of Professor Rolf Elofsson on the occasion of his retirement from the chair of Zoology at the University of Lund     

Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in amacrine cells of the chicken retina

Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity was detected in chicken retina by radioimmunoassay. The levels of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity decreased after intra-ocular injection of kainic acid, but were not affected by destruction of the ganglion cells. By immunohistochemistry, somatostatinimmunoreactive amacrine cells were found in the inner nuclear layer. These cells were destroyed by kainic acid. At least some of the cells projected to all three sub-layers of the inner plexiform layer in which there were diffuse bands of fluorescence. Specific immunofluorescence was also detected at the level of the outer limiting membrane and the optic nerve fibre layer, but the outer nuclear and plexiform layers, horizontal, bipolar and ganglion cells did not show specific immunofluorescence.It is suggested that other amacrine cell sub-classes, defined in terms of their putative transmitter, may show specific patterns of cell body location and size, and terminal arborisation.     

Discrete distributions of putative cholinergic and somatostatinergic amacrine cell dendrites in chicken retina

The distributions of putative cholinergic and somatostatinergic amacrine cells of the chicken retina were compared. Acetylcholinesterase-positive amacrine cell bodies were concentrated at the border between the inner nuclear and plexiform layers. Similar amacrine cell bodies were detected in a displaced position in the ganglion cell layer. Both populations had dendrites joining the 4 bands of acetylcholinesterase activity in the inner plexiform layer. The cell bodies of somatostatin-immunoreactive amacrine cells were distinct from the intensely acetylcholinesterase-positive cell bodies. The immunoreactive terminal bands did not overlap the acetylcholinesterase-positive bands, except in the inner parts of the inner plexiform layer.     

单侧视束损伤后大白鼠视网膜内胆碱能神经元的研究

本实验应用组织化学及免疫细胞化学的方法观察大白鼠视网膜内乙酰胆碱酯酶和胆碱乙酰转移酶的活性和分布,进而对正常大白鼠及左侧视束损伤后的大白鼠视网膜胆碱能神经元进行了研究。结果表明不论是在出生时(即发育早期)还是在成年后损伤大白鼠的左侧视束时,其右侧视网膜内乙酰胆碱酯酶和胆碱乙酰转移酶的活性和分布与正常大白鼠相比都未见改变。提示这两种胆碱酶分布于视网膜的内部的神经元(intrinsic ncuron)不是节细胞,它们包括内核层的无长突细胞及节细胞层的移位无长突细胞等。大白鼠视网膜胆碱能神经元的成熟与分化很可能不直接依赖于视网膜节细胞。     

Neuronal and glial localization of homocysteate-like immunoreactivity in the rat retina

Summary To study the distribution ofl-homocysteate in the rat retina, specific polyclonal and monoclonal anti-homocysteate antibodies have been used in combination with a highly sensitive postembedding method for light microscopic immunocytochemistry. In central and peripheral retina, the most strongly immunoreactive cell bodies lay in the inner nuclear layer. They represented about 17% of the total neuronal cell population of the layer and were identified as bipolar cells (19–20% of cells in the outer half of the inner nuclear layer) and amacrine cells (15% of cells in the inner half of the inner nuclear layer). A third cell type showing heavy homocysteate-like immunoreactivity was identified as Müller glial cells. Characteristically, their descending processes formed three immunoreactive bands in the inner plexiform layer. Furthermore, the outer and inner limiting membranes as well as glia around and between ganglion cell axons and in the vicinity of blood vessels were labelled intensely. Photoreceptors and their terminals, and ganglion cells, were not immunostained. These findings indicate the presence of homocysteate in some bipolar and amacrine cells of the inner nuclear layer and support a role for this sulphur-containing excitatory amino acid as a neurotransmitter candidate in the retina.     

大鼠,金黄地鼠和家兔视网膜内一氧化氮合酶分布的比较

用ＮＡＤＰＨ黄递酶组织化学染色法观察了正常成年大鼠、金黄地鼠和家兔视网膜内一氧化氮合酶的分布，并比较了３种不同动物的区别。结果显示，在视网膜内ＮＯＳ阳性神经元主要为分布于内核层的无长突细胞、节细胞层的移位无长突细胞和少数节细胞，不同种类动物的视网膜内，ＮＯＳ阳性细胞的配布、密度和细胞形态均有差异。大鼠视网膜内ＮＯＳ阳性细胞多尾于内核层无长突细胞和节细胞层移位无长细胞，偶见于视网膜节细胞。金黄地鼠视     

Synapsin I expression in the rat retina during postnatal development

Summary The expression of the synapsin I gene was studied during postnatal development of the rat retina at the mRNA and protein levels. In situ hybridization histochemistry showed that synapsin I mRNA was expressed already in nerve cells in the ganglion cell layer of the neonatal retina, while it appeared in neurons of the inner nuclear layer from postnatal day 4 onward. Maximal expression of synapsin I mRNA was observed at P12 in ganglion cells and in neurons of the inner nuclear layer followed by moderate expression in the adult. At the protein level a shift of synapsin I appearance was observed from cytoplasmic to terminal localization during retinal development by immunohistochemistry. In early stages (P4 and P8), synapsin I was seen in neurons of the ganglion cell layer and in neurons of the developing inner nuclear layer as well as in the developing inner plexiform layer. In the developing outer plexiform layer synapsin I was localized only in horizontal cells and in their processes. Its early appearance at P4 indicated the early maturation of this cell type. A shift and strong increase of labelling to the plexiform layers at P12 indicated the localization of synapsin I in synaptic terminals. The inner plexiform layer exhibited a characteristic stratified pattern. Photoreceptor cells never exhibited synapsin I mRNA or synapsin I protein throughout development.Abbreviations GCL ganglion cell layer - INB inner neuroblast layer - INL inner nuclear layer - IPL inner plexiform layer - ONB outer neuroblast layer - ONL outer nuclear layer - OPL outer plexiform layer     

Lucifer yellow stains displaced amacrine cells of the chicken retina during embryonic development

We have used Lucifer Yellow for histological tracing of displaced amacrine cells within the ganglion cell layer (GCL) during the embryonic development of the chicken retina. Incubating whole eyes in the dye leads to bright staining of all displaced amacrine cells, whereas ganglion cells and glial cells are not stained. A subpopulation of cells of the inner part of the inner nuclear layer (INL) are also stained (for further details see ref. 13). Kainic acid, which is known to interfere with and kill amacrine cell systems, blocks the staining of these cells fully. This in addition to histological evidence confirms that the LY-stained cells in the GCL are displaced amacrine cells. Of the cells in the GCL, 23% (+/- 3%) are of the displaced amacrine type. Further, we find that the cytoarchitectural arrangement of these cells changes significantly during development.     

Demonstration of a substance P-like immunoreactivity in retinal cells of the rat

The distribution of substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivity in the rat retina was investigated by immunohistochemistry. SP-positive cells were found throughout the retina. The majority of them were located in the proximal portion of the inner nuclear layer and the processes from these cells directed to the inner plexiform layer where they ramified, suggesting that SP-positive cells located in this region probably are amacrine cells. Few SP-positive cells were seen within the ganglion cell layer. They were considered displaced amacrine cells.     

Ultramicroscopical immunolocalization of PAX6 in the adult chicken retina

Cell type-specific PAX6 protein expression was examined in all retinal layers of the normal chicken retina. The most intense PAX6 immunostaining was found in the ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers, and in lower amounts in the optic nerve fiber, the inner plexiform and the photoreceptor layers. PAX6 immunostaining was variable in terms of its subcellular localization, even within one cell. PAX6 immunostaining was mainly localized in nuclear heterochromatin of the ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers whereas in the outer nuclear layer, PAX6 immunostaining was only observed in the intercellular space and the cytoplasm. In photoreceptors, the myoid portion of the inner segment showed PAX6 immunostaining, but the ellipsoid portion and the outer segment did not. The ultrastructural distribution pattern of PAX6 in the adult chicken retina suggests that normal expression of PAX6 is variable even in subcellular structures in the same cell type.     

The role of nitric oxide in the apoptosis of neurons in the retina of the human fetal eye

The locations of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and TUNEL-immunoreactive neurons in the retina of human fetuses collected during the first to third trimesters of pregnancy were studied. High levels of NADPH-d activity were seen in the inner segments of light-sensitive cells, amacrine cells, and ganglion cells. The population of NADPH-d-positive amacrine cells included three types of neuron. Type 1 neurons were large and had sparse dendritic fields occupying the inner nuclear and outer retinal layers. Small type 2 neurons were located in the inner retinal layer. Ectopic amacrine cells, type 3, were located in the outer part of the ganglion layer. A high density of NADPH-d-positive neurons was seen in the central part of the retina, surrounding the central fovea and optic disk area. NADPH-d activity increased progressively during ontogenesis and correlated with the appearance of immunoreactive iNOS in neurons. iNOS labeled a subpopulation of amacrine and ganglion cells, which appeared at 20–21 weeks of development and reached a peak of immunoreactivity by the end of the third trimester. TUNEL-immunopositive neuron nuclei with signs of apoptotic destruction were seen at 30–31 weeks of pregnancy. The greatest apoptotic index was seen in the ganglion and amacrine cell populations. These data identify NO as a factor mediating apoptosis of neurons during the critical period of differentiation of interneuronal connections in the human retina. Director: Doctor of Biological Sciences M. A. Vashchenko Director: Doctor of Biological Sciences S. L. Kondrashov __________ Translated from Morfologiya, Vol. 129, No. 1, pp. 42–49, January–February, 2006.     

牛蛙视网膜内γ-氨基丁酸免疫阳性反应的分布

用免疫组织化学ABC法．研究了GABA免疫阳性反应在牛蛙视网膜的分布。证明光感受器内段（主要是视锥细胞）呈棕褐色的GABA反应;在外核层未见GABA标记的胞体,但在靠近外网层处偶见GABA标记的终末;在内核层,大量无长突细胞呈GABA反应阳性,并可鉴别出胞体染色较深和淡的两个亚群,一些双极细胞和个别水平细胞的胞体及它们的突起呈较弱的GABA反应阳性,偶见双极细胞轴突终末以膨体紧密贴附在GABA标记的无长突细胞上。在节细胞层,一些神经节细胞和散在的移位无长突细胞呈GABA反应阳性。此外．外网层和内网层均呈GABA反应阳性。上述结果表明,GABA广泛分布于牛蛙视网膜的各层,提示它在视觉信号的传递过程中发挥着重要作用。     

Cell populations of the ganglion cell layer: displaced amacrine and matching amacrine cells in the pigeon retina

Summary The proportion and size distribution of ganglion and non-ganglion cells in the ganglion cell layer of different areas of the pigeon retina was examined in whole-mounts of the retina by retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) from large brain injections. A maximum of 98% of cells were labelled in the red field and a maximum of 77% in the peripheral yellow field. Unlabelled cell bodies were 30% smaller than labelled ganglion cells and had a mean diameter of 6.2 m and a size range of 4 to 9 m. The morphology of cells in the ganglion cell layer was examined by Golgi staining of retinal whole-mounts. Small glia, displaced amacrine and ganglion cells were found. Displaced amacrine cell bodies were about 30% smaller than ganglion cells and their size distribution was similar to the unlabelled cells in HRP preparations. Displaced amacrine cells had small rounded cell bodies (mean diameter 6.2 m) increasing in size with eccentricity, and a unistratified dendritic tree of fine, nearly radial, varicose dendrites in sublamina 4 of the inner plexiform layer. They had elliptical dendritic fields (mean diameter 66 m) aligned parallel to the retina's horizontal meridian. A population of amacrine cells was found with somas at the inner margin of the inner nuclear layer and soma and dendritic morphology matching those of displaced amacrines. These amacrine cells had unistratified dendritic trees at the junction of sublaminae 1 and 2 of the inner plexiform layer. Pigeon displaced amacrine cells and their matching amacrines are similar to starburst cells of the rabbit retina. They may participate in on and off pathways to ganglion cells and their lamination suggests that they are cholinergic.     

The light microscopic localization of substance P- and somatostatin-like immunoreactive cells in the larval tiger salamander retina

Summary Light microscopic immunocytochemistry was utilized to localize the populations of substance P (SP)- and somatostatin (SOM)-like immunoreactive cells in the larval tiger salamander retina. Of 104 SP-immunostained cells observed, 82% were Type 1 amacrine cells. Another 8% of the SP-cells were classified as Type 2 amacrine cells, while 10% of the SP-cells had their cell bodies located in the ganglion cell layer and were designated as displaced amacrine cells. Each type of SP-like immunoreactive cell was observed in the central and peripheral retina. SP-immunopositive processes were observed in the inner plexiform layer as a sparse plexus in sublamina 1 and as a denser network of fibers in sublamina 5. Seventy-eight percent of the 110 somatostatin-immunopositive cells observed were designated as Type 1 amacrine cells. Another 12% of SOM-cells were classified as displaced amacrine cells, while only two SOM-immunopositive Type 2 amacrine cells were observed. Nine percent of the SOM-cells were designated as interplexiform cells, based on their giving rise to processes distributing in the outer plexiform layer as well as processes ramifying in the inner plexiform layer. Each type of SOM-immunoreactive cell was observed in the central and peripheral retina, with the exception of the Type 2 amacrine cells, whose somas were only found in the central retina. Lastly, SOM-immunopositive processes in the inner plexiform layer appeared as a fine plexus in sublamina 1 and as a somewhat denser network of fibers in sublamina 5.     

The development of the retina of the albino rat

Morphogenesis of the retina of the Sprague-Dawley albino rat was studied by light microscopy from day 11 of gestation until 225 days after birth. A quantitative analysis during development of retinal volume, thickness of the entire neural retina and thickness of each of the retinal layers, both posteriorly and peripherally, was made. The results indicate that initially a single neuroblastic layer forms and continually thickens by mitosis at its outer border. The retinal layers then form in sequence, moving from the inner retinal border outward and always beginning posteriorly and then spreading peripherally. The transient layer of Chievitz does not appear. All adult layers are present by eight days after birth and each layer thins after reaching its maximal thickness. Total thickness of the retina excluding pigmented epithelium, is greatest on postnatal day 5, but retinal volume only reaches a peak on postnatal days 7 to 12. The nerve fiber, inner plexiform, outer plexiform and bacillary layers all continue to increase in thickness after the ganglion cell and inner and outer nuclear layers reach their maximal width and are beginning to become thinner.