胶质纤维酸性蛋白在视神经横断后大鼠视网膜神经胶质细胞中的表达

目的探讨胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）存视神经横断后大鼠视网膜神经胶质细胞中的表达情况及可能的意义。方法制作大鼠视神经横断模型,分别于术后1、3、7d取材,制作视网膜矢状伉冰冻切片,用谷氨酰胺合成酶（Gs）标记视网膜Muller细胞,行GS／GFAP免疫荧光双标。提取视网膜总RNA行GFAPReal—TimePCR半定量分析。结果正常大鼠视网膜中GFAP阳性染色仅位于视网膜内层的星形胶质细胞上。术后1d,在Muller细胞上出现GFAP的诱导表达,术后3d,GFAP在Muller细胞上的表达进一步增强,术后1周,GFAP在Muller细胞上的表达保持在较高水平,Real-TimePCR半定量分析与以上结果吻合。结论视神经横断后GFAP在Muller细胞上的诱导表达是Muller细胞对视网膜损伤产生的一种胶质化反应,GFAP的表达量与病程进展相一致。GFAP在Muller细胞上的诱导表达尤其在足板处的强烈表达可能对视网膜神经节细胞具有保护作用。     

四种中间丝蛋白在大鼠视网膜发育过程中表达的时间顺序和结构特征

目的研究视网膜内神经干细胞的标志物及其表达的时间和空间分布特征。方法利用免疫组化染色,检测四种中间丝蛋白(Nestin、Vimentin、GFAP及NF)在新生至12月龄大鼠视网膜内表达的时间顺序、空间分布和强度变化。结果大鼠视网膜结构的分化要到出生后2周才能完成。在2周内Nestin的表达可见于视网膜的神经细胞、胶质细胞、血管内皮细胞内。2周后表达水平明显降低。4周时完全转阴。但在睫状体的少数突起内,Nestin持续高水平表达,成年时,阳性细胞以色素上皮细胞为主。此外,在成年大鼠的视神经内也可见散在的Nestin阳性细胞。Vimentin在神经胶质细胞和睫状体的无色素上皮细胞中一直呈强阳性。除了文献报道的水平细胞外,我们还发现Vimentin在4周内的MUller细胞和无长突细胞内表达。GFAP和NF仅在发育成熟的神经胶质细胞和神经节细胞的轴突内表达。结论Nestin可作为视网膜神经干细胞的标志,成年时视网膜的神经干细胞分布在少数睫状突及视神经内。（中华眼科杂,2004,40：765—769)     

巢蛋白和神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白在大鼠视网膜发育中的动态表达

目的 观察巢蛋白(nestin)和神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)在大鼠视网膜发育中的动态变化.方法 48只Wistar大鼠,其中24只大鼠分为出生后1 d,1、2、3、4、7、12、20周8组,每组3只.制作眼球矢状位冰冻切片,采用共聚焦激光显微镜观察nestin和谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)以及GFAP和GS免疫荧光染色情况.18只大鼠分为出生后id,1、2、3、4、12周,每组3只.提取大鼠视网膜总RNA,实时定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测nestin、GFAP和GS mRNA表达.选择6只出生后7～12 d新生鼠,取眼球体外培养Müller细胞,行GS和(或)nestin免疫荧光染色,共聚焦激光显微镜观察荧光染色情况.结果 出生后1 d,nestin免疫阳性细胞贯穿神经视网膜全层,主要定位于视网膜前体细胞放射状排列的细长纤维中,在视网膜内侧出现GFAP阳性的星形胶质细胞.出生后1周出现表达GS的Müller细胞,同时表达nestin,但不表达GFAP;GFAP阳性细胞仍然位于视网膜内侧.出生后2～12周,nestin在Mfiller细胞上的表达逐渐减少直至消失,GFAP在星形胶质细胞中的表达强度投有显著变化.体外培养的Müller细胞表达nestin,不表达GFAP.Nestin和GFAP mRNA在视网膜中的表达与免疫荧光染色结果相一致.结论 随大鼠视网膜不断发育,Müller细胞上nestin表达逐渐减少,成年大鼠视网膜Müller细胞不再表达nestin;新生鼠和成年鼠Müller细胞均不表达GFAP.     

巢蛋白和神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白在大鼠视网膜发育中的动态表达

目的 观察巢蛋白(nestin)和神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)在大鼠视网膜发育中的动态变化.方法 48只Wistar大鼠,其中24只大鼠分为出生后1 d,1、2、3、4、7、12、20周8组,每组3只.制作眼球矢状位冰冻切片,采用共聚焦激光显微镜观察nestin和谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)以及GFAP和GS免疫荧光染色情况.18只大鼠分为出生后id,1、2、3、4、12周,每组3只.提取大鼠视网膜总RNA,实时定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测nestin、GFAP和GS mRNA表达.选择6只出生后7～12 d新生鼠,取眼球体外培养Müller细胞,行GS和(或)nestin免疫荧光染色,共聚焦激光显微镜观察荧光染色情况.结果 出生后1 d,nestin免疫阳性细胞贯穿神经视网膜全层,主要定位于视网膜前体细胞放射状排列的细长纤维中,在视网膜内侧出现GFAP阳性的星形胶质细胞.出生后1周出现表达GS的Müller细胞,同时表达nestin,但不表达GFAP;GFAP阳性细胞仍然位于视网膜内侧.出生后2～12周,nestin在Mfiller细胞上的表达逐渐减少直至消失,GFAP在星形胶质细胞中的表达强度投有显著变化.体外培养的Müller细胞表达nestin,不表达GFAP.Nestin和GFAP mRNA在视网膜中的表达与免疫荧光染色结果相一致.结论 随大鼠视网膜不断发育,Müller细胞上nestin表达逐渐减少,成年大鼠视网膜Müller细胞不再表达nestin;新生鼠和成年鼠Müller细胞均不表达GFAP.     

星形胶质细胞与糖尿病视网膜病变

视网膜星形胶质细胞分布于神经元与毛细血管之间。在发育过程中，星形胶质细胞的成熟需要血管内皮细胞的诱导。视网膜星形胶质细胞参与血一视网膜屏障的形成，并对其功能进行调控；通过表达谷氨酸转运体参与谷氨酸代谢；通过产生的钙振荡对神经元细胞的活动进行调节；调节大分子物质在胶质细胞问的扩散。此外，星形胶质细胞还具有神经元营养保护功能。糖尿病视网膜病变（DR）发生时，视网膜星形胶质细胞的数量减少，其标志物GFAP的表达量减少、谷氨酸代谢能力减弱、COX-2表达、AR和VEGF表达量增加。由此可以推论：视网膜星形胶质细胞是神经元与血管细胞活动的桥梁。对星形胶质细胞的研究有助于揭示DR中神经元病变与血管病变之间的相互关系。     

星形胶质细胞与糖尿病视网膜病变

视网膜星形胶质细胞分布于神经元与毛细血管之间。在发育过程中,星形胶质细胞的成熟需要血管内皮细胞的诱导。视网膜星形胶质细胞参与血-视网膜屏障的形成,并对其功能进行调控;通过表达谷氨酸转运体参与谷氨酸代谢;通过产生的钙振荡对神经元细胞的活动进行调节;调节大分子物质在胶质细胞间的扩散。此外,星形胶质细胞还具有神经元营养保护功能。糖尿病视网膜病变(DR)发生时,视网膜星形胶质细胞的数量减少,其标志物GFAP的表达量减少、谷氨酸代谢能力减弱、COX-2表达、AR和VEGF表达量增加。由此可以推论:视网膜星形胶质细胞是神经元与血管细胞活动的桥梁。对星形胶质细胞的研究有助于揭示DR中神经元病变与血管病变之间的相互关系。     

人胎视网膜内调节血管形成因素的研究

目的：研究人胎视网膜内纤维连接蛋白(Fibronectin，Fn)，碱性纤维母细胞生长因子(basic—fibroblast growth factor，b-FGF)和星形胶质细胞对血管两种发生方式的调节作用。 方法：收集13—40周胎儿视网膜86侧，免疫组织化学染色，光镜现察。 结果：梭形细胞、血管内皮细胞均呈Fn免疫阳性反应，梭形细胞前方的基质中有Fn免疫反应物沉积，血管内皮细胞、节细胞和视锥细胞呈b+FGF阳性反应，后两种细胞的出现先于邻近区域血管的形成；星形腔质细胞紧密伴随梭形细胞向锯齿缘迁移，其突起包裹两种方式发生的血管。 结论：Fn、FGF和星形腔质细胞这三种因素对血管发生的两种方式均有促进作用。 （中华眼底病杂志，1996，12：180-182）     

急性眼压升高所致视网膜、视神经及视交叉胶质细胞的早期反应北大核心CSCD

背景中枢神经系统以及视网膜中的胶质细胞与神经元关系十分紧密,胶质细胞在神经元损伤和修复过程中发挥着重要作用。急性眼压升高引起的视网膜、视神经及视交叉各部位胶质细胞的早期反应特点以及其与视神经损伤的关系目前尚不清楚。目的探讨大鼠视网膜、视神经及视交叉的胶质细胞对急性高眼压的早期反应,同时观察神经前体细胞标志物巢蛋白（nestin）在反应性胶质细胞中的表达。方法成年雌性Wistar大鼠9只,分为正常对照组3只和急性高眼压组6只,急性高眼压组大鼠采用右眼前房灌注生理盐水的方法升高大鼠眼压至110mmHg,持续60min。于术后第3天和第7天用过量麻醉法处死各组动物各3只,摘出眼球分离视神经和大脑标本,并制作冰冻切片。利用Nissl染色的方法测量高眼压眼视网膜内层厚度,观察视网膜和视交叉的大体形态。用BIU-tubu｜in免疫荧光染色法标记视神经内的视网膜神经节细胞（RGCs）轴突,用胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）和nestin双重标记显示视网膜、视神经及视交叉的胶质细胞反应,并对两组结果进行比较。结果正常大鼠的视网膜、视神经以及视交叉内均可见到一定量的GFAP阳性胶质细胞,但nestin的表达量很低。急性眼压升高后的第3天,视网膜内丛状层厚度明显变薄,RGCs数目较损伤前减少约46％。视网膜内胶质细胞GFAP的表达显著增加,细胞突起由神经纤维层伸展至整个视网膜,增生的胶质细胞内可见nestin的明显表达。视神经内RGCs轴突发生变性样改变,GFAP阳性胶质细胞内nestin的表达较眼压升高前明显增加。同损伤眼相对应的一侧视交叉的横断面积减小,出现大量星状GFAP和nestin共表达的胶质细胞。以上改变在眼压升高后第7天更趋明显。结论急性眼压升高早期即可引起RGCs的丢失及轴突的变性,视觉神经元改变的同时伴随胶质细胞的反应,增生的胶质细胞表达神经前体细胞的标志物。视网膜与视神经和视交叉的改变在时间上具有一定的同步性。     

急性眼压升高所致视网膜、视神经及视交叉胶质细胞的早期反应

背景 中枢神经系统以及视网膜中的胶质细胞与神经元关系十分紧密,胶质细胞在神经元损伤和修复过程中发挥着重要作用.急性眼压升高引起的视网膜、视神经及视交叉各部位胶质细胞的早期反应特点以及其与视神经损伤的关系目前尚不清楚. 目的 探讨大鼠视网膜、视神经及视交叉的胶质细胞对急性高眼压的早期反应,同时观察神经前体细胞标志物巢蛋白( nestin)在反应性胶质细胞中的表达. 方法 成年雌性Wistar大鼠9只,分为正常对照组3只和急性高眼压组6只,急性高眼压组大鼠采用右眼前房灌注生理盐水的方法升高大鼠眼压至110 mmHg,持续60 min.于术后第3天和第7天用过量麻醉法处死各组动物各3只,摘出眼球分离视神经和大脑标本,并制作冰冻切片.利用Nissl染色的方法测量高眼压眼视网膜内层厚度,观察视网膜和视交叉的大体形态.用βⅢ-tubulin免疫荧光染色法标记视神经内的视网膜神经节细胞(RGCs)轴突,用胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)和nestin双重标记显示视网膜、视神经及视交叉的胶质细胞反应,并对两组结果进行比较.结果 正常大鼠的视网膜、视神经以及视交叉内均可见到一定量的GFAP阳性胶质细胞,但nestin的表达量很低.急性眼压升高后的第3天,视网膜内丛状层厚度明显变薄,RGCs数目较损伤前减少约46％.视网膜内胶质细胞GFAP的表达显著增加,细胞突起由神经纤维层伸展至整个视网膜,增生的胶质细胞内可见nestin的明显表达.视神经内RGCs轴突发生变性样改变,GFAP阳性胶质细胞内nestin的表达较眼压升高前明显增加.同损伤眼相对应的一侧视交叉的横断面积减小,出现大量星状GFAP和nestin共表达的胶质细胞.以上改变在眼压升高后第7天更趋明显.结论 急性眼压升高早期即可引起RGCs的丢失及轴突的变性,视觉神经元改变的同时伴随胶质细胞的反应,增生的胶质细胞表达神经前体细胞的标志物.视网膜与视神经和视交叉的改变在时间上具有一定的同步性.     

巢蛋白和神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白在大鼠视网膜发育中的动态表达

目的 观察巢蛋白(nestin)和神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)在大鼠视网膜发育中的动态变化.方法 48只Wistar大鼠,其中24只大鼠分为出生后1 d,1、2、3、4、7、12、20周8组,每组3只.制作眼球矢状位冰冻切片,采用共聚焦激光显微镜观察nestin和谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)以及GFAP和GS免疫荧光染色情况.18只大鼠分为出生后id,1、2、3、4、12周,每组3只.提取大鼠视网膜总RNA,实时定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测nestin、GFAP和GS mRNA表达.选择6只出生后7～12 d新生鼠,取眼球体外培养Müller细胞,行GS和(或)nestin免疫荧光染色,共聚焦激光显微镜观察荧光染色情况.结果 出生后1 d,nestin免疫阳性细胞贯穿神经视网膜全层,主要定位于视网膜前体细胞放射状排列的细长纤维中,在视网膜内侧出现GFAP阳性的星形胶质细胞.出生后1周出现表达GS的Müller细胞,同时表达nestin,但不表达GFAP;GFAP阳性细胞仍然位于视网膜内侧.出生后2～12周,nestin在Mfiller细胞上的表达逐渐减少直至消失,GFAP在星形胶质细胞中的表达强度投有显著变化.体外培养的Müller细胞表达nestin,不表达GFAP.Nestin和GFAP mRNA在视网膜中的表达与免疫荧光染色结果相一致.结论 随大鼠视网膜不断发育,Müller细胞上nestin表达逐渐减少,成年大鼠视网膜Müller细胞不再表达nestin;新生鼠和成年鼠Müller细胞均不表达GFAP.     

水通道蛋白4基因对慢性高眼压小鼠视网膜中胶质纤维酸性蛋白表达的调控

背景 本课题组先前的研究发现,神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）在慢性高眼压模型小鼠视网膜星形胶质细胞和Müller细胞中表达增加,这一改变与视网膜神经节细胞（RGCs）的改变及疾病的发生及发展密切相关.水通道蛋白4（AQP4）在视网膜主要存在于神经胶质细胞中,青光眼发病过程中AQP4与GFAP表达的关系尚不清楚. 目的 研究慢性高眼压状态下AQP4基因在慢性高眼压情况下是否能够调控视网膜神经胶质细胞中GFAP的表达,探讨AQP4基因在青光眼RGCs损害中的作用.方法 利用小鼠巩膜外静脉烧烙法（烧烙静脉3～4支）建立雄性小鼠AQP4基因敲除（AQP4-/-）小鼠及其同背景雄性野生型（WT）小鼠左眼慢性高眼压模型,均取右眼作为对照眼.选择造模成功的两种小鼠各30只,分别于术后1、3、7、14和28 d各取6只小鼠用Icare回弹式眼压计测量小鼠眼压,分别于相应时间点分离取小鼠视网膜,通过Western blot 法检测AQP4-/-小鼠及WT小鼠视网膜神经胶质细胞中GFAP水平的变化,用t检验、三因素方差分析及SNK-q检验分析实验数据.结果 造模后1、3、7、14和28 d,AQP4-/-小鼠实验眼眼压均明显高于对照眼,差异均有统计学意义（t=15.29、16.02、13.77、14.34、12.40,均P＜0.05）;上述各时间点WT小鼠实验眼眼压均明显高于对照眼,差异均有统计学意义（t=17.65、14.91、15.97、13.41、12.53,均P＜0.05）.正常情况下AQP4-/-小鼠与WT小鼠视网膜组织中均有GFAP表达,WT小鼠对照眼、实验眼造模后1、3、7、14和28 d,视网膜中GFAP的表达量（GFAP/β-actin）分别为1.00±0.00、1.99 ±0.29、4.05±0.69、4.47±0.48、3.21±0.35、3.25±0.53;AQP4-/-小鼠对照眼、实验眼术后1、3、7、14和28 d视网膜中GFAP相对表达量（GFAP/β-actin）分别为1.00±0.00、1.69±0.31、2.27±0.55、2.79±0.39、1.93±0.31和1.54±0.40;造模后不同时间点小鼠视网膜中GFAP表达量差异有统计学意义（F=9.54,P＜0.05）,WT小鼠随着造模后时间的延长,视网膜总GFAP的表达量逐渐升高,而AQP4-/-小鼠视网膜中总GFAP的相对表达量逐渐下降,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.正常情况下WT小鼠与AQP4-/-小鼠视网膜组织中GFAP/β-actin差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,WT小鼠术后3、7、14和28 d视网膜中GFAP的表达值均显著高于AQP4-/-小鼠,差异均有统计学意义（t=4.51、7.95、6.12、5.76,P＜0.01）. 结论 慢性高眼压状态下AQP4基因可以上调小鼠视网膜神经胶质细胞中GFAP的表达,从而引起视网膜神经胶质细胞的活化,导致RGCs的损害.AQP4可能成为治疗青光眼的新靶点.     

Retinal changes after retinal translocation surgery with scleral imbrication in dog eyes

PURPOSE: To examine retinal changes induced by scleral imbrication during retinal translocation surgery in dog eyes. METHODS: Fifteen dogs were anesthetized and underwent retinal translocation surgery. After lensectomy and vitrectomy, an intentional retinal detachment was created, and the upper temporal sclera around the equator was imbricated with five mattress sutures. Translocated distances were calculated by pre- and postoperative photographs. At 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the surgery, the retina was studied by TdT-dNTP terminal nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemistry of peanut agglutinin (PNA) lectin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). RESULTS: The retina was translocated by a mean distance of 0.53 +/- 0.30 disc diameters or 959 +/- 543 micrometer. Retinal folds were created around the optic disc in all eyes. Histologic examination of the retinal folds 1 week after the surgery showed many TUNEL-positive cells in the outer nuclear layer, loss of photoreceptor cells, and shortening of the outer and inner segments. A strong immunoreactivity to GFAP was detected in the folds of the retina. CONCLUSIONS:. The results demonstrated that retinal translocation surgery by scleral imbrication inevitably caused retinal folds as a postoperative complication, and the retina within the folds showed extensive loss of photoreceptor cells. It is recommended that the foveal translocation surgery be planned to avoid involving the fovea in the retinal folds.     

糖尿病大鼠视网膜神经细胞损伤机制的研究

目的 观察糖尿病大鼠视网膜Müller细胞谷氨酸转运体（GLAST）、谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）及胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）表达的变化、视网膜神经细胞凋亡的检测以及神经营养因子NT-3的表达,探讨糖尿病（DM）对视网膜神经细胞损伤的机制。设计 实验研究。研究对象 Sprague-Dawley（SD）大鼠82只。 方法 大鼠随机分为正常对照组12只,糖尿病模型组70只。链脲佐菌素诱导实验性DM大鼠模型。RT-PCR法检测视网膜GFAP mRNA表达水平;TUNEL法检测视网膜神经节细胞（RGC）及内核层细胞的凋亡并计数凋亡细胞数量;免疫组织化学技术LSAB法检测GFAP、GLAST、GS、NT-3在视网膜的表达,观察DM大鼠视网膜RGC及内核层细胞功能的改变,用图像分析仪测量免疫组化的显色强度。主要指标 GFAP、GLAST、GS和NT-3的表达量,视网膜内核层和RGC细胞凋亡数。结果 （1）与正常组（1.00±0.02）相比,模型组GFAP阳性表达量（5.22±1.34）明显增加（P=0.000）, GLAST、GS、NT-3阳性表达明显降低。（2）大鼠视网膜凋亡阳性细胞仅见于RGC层和内核层,模型组视网膜内核层细胞及RGC凋亡数量（36.00±6.02,11.48±2.08）比正常组（16.33±2.34,5.34±0.52）显著增加（P均=0.000）。（3）DM大鼠视网膜GFAP mRNA表达（7.00±0.37）比正常组（0.29±0.08）明显增加（P=0.000）。（4）GFAP阳性表达与内核层细胞及RGC凋亡数呈正相关（r=0.88、0.85,P=0.021、0.028 ）;GLAST阳性表达与内核层细胞及RGC凋亡数呈负相关（r=-0.91、-0.89, P=0.014、0.020）,GS阳性表达与内核层细胞及RGC凋亡数呈负相关（r=-0.93、-0.90, P=0.007、0.009）;NT-3阳性表达与内核层细胞及RGC凋亡数呈负相关（r=-0.74、-0.71, P=0.036、0.041）。结论  糖尿病大鼠视网膜神经细胞凋亡增加与Müller细胞的过度反应性增生及神经营养因子的缺失有关,高浓度谷氨酸的兴奋性毒性作用以及神经营养因子NT-3的缺失是其视网膜神经细胞损伤的重要机制。     

Ganglion cell topography in human fetal retinae

Whole-mounted human fetal retinae of gestational ages 14-40 weeks have been studied. These preparations clearly show the distribution of retinal ganglion cells or their precursors across the retina, and the pattern of the retinal vessels and vessel primordia. The ganglion cell layer is present at 14 weeks of gestation and distribution of cells in this layer (ganglion cell precursors) is at first uniform. Ganglion cell density gradients that foreshadow those seen in the adult retina become evident by about 20 weeks gestation. Both mature ganglion cells and precursor cells are present in retinae at about 24 weeks and precursor cells are still seen in the peripheral parts of the retina at about 30 weeks of gestation. The development of mature ganglion cells would appear to coincide with the establishment of retinal circulation, and proceeds in centrifugal sequence from central retinal.     

经瞳孔温热疗法对大鼠视神经钳夹视网膜神经节细胞的保护作用

目的探讨经瞳孔温热疗法（TTT）阈下反应对BN大鼠视神经钳夹后视网膜神经节细胞（RGCs）的保护作用。方法采用阈下TTT对BN大鼠视网膜进行照射后3d,通过逆行标记RGCs的方法,对TTT＋视神经钳夹组（A组）、TTT＋假手术组（B组）、单纯视神经钳夹组（C组）和空白对照组（D组）在视神经钳夹后1、2、4周进行RGCs计数并比较;检测视网膜TTT阈下反应的热休克蛋白70（HSP70）表达;观察TTT阈下反应对视网膜的影响。结果视神经钳夹后4周,A组RGCs数显著高于C组（P=0.006）,而1周和2周时2组之间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;各时间点B组和D组的RGCs数差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。视网膜经阈下TTT干预后,HSP70表达高于对照眼。阈下TTT照射能引起视网膜组织形态上的改变。结论阈下TTT可显著提高视神经钳夹4周后RGCs的存活数量;其保护机制可能与诱导视网膜内源性HSP70表达、启动内源性保护机制有关。     

Development and role of retinal glia in regeneration of ganglion cells following retinal injury.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Recent observations have shown that the glial scar resulting from a surgical lesion of the immature retina differs from elsewhere in the central nervous system, in that it permits the through growth and reconnection of regenerating axons. This study in the opossum examines in detail the development and reaction to injury of retinal glia at different developmental stages, and specifically examines the distribution of the gliosis related inhibitory molecule, chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG), making comparisons with a control site of gliosis in the cerebral cortex. METHODS: A linear slit was cut into the retina or cortex with a fine tungsten probe. After a variable time delay, immunocytochemistry of the resulting gliosis was employed to detect astrocytes with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Müller cells with vimentin, and CSPG with CS-56 antibodies. GFAP was also used at different ages to examine the normal development of astrocytes in the retina of this species. RESULTS: Astrocytes entered the retina 12 days after birth (P12), closely associated with blood vessels in the nerve fibre layer. In experiments at all ages studied, cellular continuity was re-established across the lesioned retina, which did not result in a significant astrocyte proliferation or CSPG expression. In contrast, cortical injury led to the development of a cystic cavity surrounded by astrocytes and CSPG. Müller cells expressed GFAP but not CSPG in the lesioned retina. CONCLUSION: Successful regrowth of ganglion cells through a retinal lesion may be partly the result of the scarcity of astrocytes in the retina, which results in minimal gliosis, or of their apparent inability to express inhibitory molecules.     

The neurogenic competence of progenitors from the postnatal rat retina in vitro

The mammalian retina develops from stem or progenitor cells that are of neuroectodermal origin and derive from bilateral invaginations of the neuroepithelium, the optic vesicles. Shortly after birth, around 12 days postnatal in rats, the retina is fully developed in its cellular parts. Even though different cell types in the adult might be potential sources for retinal stem cells or progenitor cells, the retina is a non-neurogenic region and the diseased retina is devoid of any spontaneous regeneration. In an attempt to link late developmental processes to the adult situation, we analyzed the presence and the neurogenic potential of retinal progenitors during the postnatal period and compared it to adult ciliary body (CB) derived retinal progenitors and subventricular zone (SVZ) derived neural stem cells. Retinal progenitor properties were identified by the capacity to proliferate and by the expression of the progenitor markers Nestin, Flk-1, Chx10, Pax6 and the radial glia marker BLBP. The neurogenic potential was assayed by the expression of the neuronal markers doublecortin, betaIII Tubulin, Map2 and NSE, the glial makers A2B5, NG2, GalC and GFAP, and by incorporation of BrdU. The number of Flk-1 positive cells and concomitantly the number of newly born betaIII Tubulin-positive cells decreased within the first postnatal week in retinal progenitor cultures and no newly generated betaIII Tubulin, but GFAP positive cells were detected thereafter. In contrast to neural stem cells derived from the adult SVZ, postnatal and adult CB derived progenitors had a lower and a restricted proliferation potential and did not generate oligodendrocytes. The work demonstrates, however, that the existence of retinal progenitor cells is not restricted to embryonic development. In the sensory retina the differentiation potential of late retinal progenitors becomes restricted to the glial lineage, whereas neurogenic progenitor cells are still present in the CB. In addition, major differences in growth and differentiation potential of adult neural stem cells and postnatal and adult retinal progenitors are presented.     

Astrocyte-endothelial cell relationships during human retinal vascular development

PURPOSE: To evaluate evidence for the presence of vascular precursor cells (angioblasts) and astrocyte precursor cells (APCs) in the developing human retina and determine their relationship. METHODS: Pax-2/GFAP/CD-34 triple-label immunohistochemistry was applied to four retinas aged 12, 14, 16, and 20 weeks of gestation (WG) to label APCs, astrocytes, and patent blood vessels. APCs are Pax-2(+)/GFAP(-), whereas astrocytes are Pax-2(+)/GFAP(+). Adenosine diphosphatase (ADPase) enzyme histochemistry, which identifies endothelial cells and vascular precursors, was applied to human retinas aged 12, 16, 17, and 19 WG. Nissl stain, a nonspecific cell soma marker, was applied to 14.5-, 18-, and 21-WG retinas. Established blood vessels were visualized with CD34 and ADPase. RESULTS: Topographical analysis of the distribution of Nissl-stained spindle cells and ADPase(+) vascular cells showed that these two populations have similar distributions at corresponding ages. ADPase(+) vascular precursor cells preceded the leading edge of patent vessels by more than 1 millimeter. In contrast, Pax-2(+)/GFAP(-) APCs preceded the leading edge of CD34(+) blood vessels by a very small margin, and committed astrocytes (Pax-2(+)/GFAP(+)) were associated with formed vessels and nerve fiber bundles. Two populations of ADPase(+) cells were evident, a spindle-shaped population located superficially and a deeper spherical population. The outer limits of these populations remain static with maturation. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of Pax-2/GFAP/CD34 immunohistochemistry, Nissl staining, and ADPase histochemistry showed that the vascular precursor cells (angioblasts), identified using ADPase and Nissl, represent a population distinct from Pax-2(+)/GFAP(-) APCs in the human retina. These results lead to the conclusion that formation of the initial human retinal vasculature takes place through vasculogenesis from the prior invasion of vascular precursor cells.     

Preretinal membrane formation in rabbit eyes after intravitreal transplantation of cultured astrocytes

Astrocytes were cultured from the cerebral cortices of newborn rabbits and were so confirmed by staining of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In Experiment I, the astrocytes of newborn rabbits of both sexes from one mother were pooled and suspended in a culture medium, and approximately 1-2 X 10(4) cells were injected into the vitreous cavity of one eye and the culture medium alone was injected into the fellow eye of the mother rabbit. In Experiment II, the astrocytes cultured from the cerebral cortex of a single newborn rabbit of known sex were injected into both eyes of the mother or father rabbit. In the 24 eyes receiving the astrocyte injection, 22 eyes developed preretinal membrane in 2.5 to 14 weeks: 11 eyes developed traction retinal detachment. In the 12 control eyes receiving the culture medium injection, preretinal membrane was seen only in one eye. The preretinal membrane consisted predominantly of spindle-shaped cells positively stained by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method for GFAP staining. Electron microscopy showed that the major component cells of the preretinal membrane were astrocytes with characteristic intermediate filaments; no retinal pigment epithelial cells were observed. In Experiment II, the average frequency of sex chromatin detection was 4.6% and 55.2% in the male and female astrocyte cultures, respectively. Three groups of experiments were made, A) the female astrocytes injected into the mother's eyes, B) the male astrocytes injected into the mother's eyes and C) the female astrocytes injected into the father's eyes. The sex chromatin was found in the cells of the preretinal membrane at the average frequencies of 63.5%, 34.4% and 55.5% in Groups A, B and C, respectively. It was concluded that the astrocytes injected into the vitreous cavity proliferated and formed the preretinal membrane to a degree that caused traction retinal detachment, without involvement of the retinal pigment epithelial cells. It was also thought that the astrocytes from the retina of the adult host eyes participated to some extent in the preretinal membrane formation.