Amacrine cells of the rhesus monkey retina

Amacrine cells of the rhesus monkey, Macaca mulatta, were studied in 38 retinas Golgi-impregnated as whole, flat preparations. By using criteria of dendritic morphology, span of arborization, and level of arborization in the inner plexiform layer, 26 types of amacrine cell ranging in size of dendritic span from 30 microns to 2 mm were identified and listed in increasing size of dendritic span. In some instances, different cell types could be grouped together due to similar morphological features. For example, 1 group, "knotty amacrine cells," has small cell bodies and a profusion of small, varicose, intertwined processes that span up to 30 microns and are essentially monostratified, but each of the 3 types ends in different strata. Another group is 2 types with about 20 fine radiating processes spanning 1 mm that possess some prominent varicosities. One of these has all of its processes terminating in the innermost stratum of the inner plexiform layer ("spidery"-type 2 amacrine cells). The other with predominantly similarly ending processes has some that also terminate in the outermost stratum ("spidery"-type 1 amacrines). These 2 cell types likely correspond to the type 1 and type 2 indolamine-accumulating amacrine cells in rabbit retina. Other types are individuals which cannot be grouped together but resemble familiar types in cat retina (AII and A13). Other types can be correlated with their putative neurotransmitter (type 1 CA-dopamine) or transmitter/drug receptor ("spiny"-benzodiazepine receptor) phenotype. Many types as yet have no known correlate from other Golgi studies or clues as to transmitter or receptor phenotype. This study provides evidence for an unprecedented number of amacrine cell types in the primate retina. The similar morphologies of different types of amacrine cell types within a group suggest other common features within these groups such as neurotransmitter phenotype.     

Amacrine and ganglion cells with corticotropin-releasing-factor-like immunoreactivity in the turtle retina

This study, which uses immunocytochemical methods at the light microscopical, level, examines the cell types in the turtle retina that contain corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-like immunoreactivity. Two anatomically distinct amacrine cell types are labeled when antiserum directed against ovine CRF is used to label the turtle retina. These cell types each have a different dendritic arborization pattern and regional distribution. Type A cells are found only in the visual streak and have elongated dendritic arborizations that run parallel to the visual streak. These cells arborize primarily in stratum 1 and near the border of strata 2 and 3, with some processes extending into stratum 5. Type B amacrine cells are found only ventral to the visual streak and arborize primarily in a wide band in strata 4 and 5 with sparse dendritic arborizations in stratum 1. No labeled amacrine cells of any type were found dorsal to the visual streak. The asymmetric dendritic arborizations of the type A amacrine cells and the different regional distributions of the A and B cell types suggest that these two amacrine cell types perform distinct physiological functions. In addition to these labeled amacrine cells, there are also some immunoreactive cell bodies in the ganglion cell layer. Rhodamine crystals were applied to the optic tectum to retrogradely label the ganglion cell bodies. Double label studies indicate that some of the rhodamine-labeled ganglion cells also contain CRF-like immunoreactivity. The localization of CRF-like immunoreactivity in two distinct amacrine cell types and in ganglion cells suggests that it may play multiple roles in visual processing in the turtle retina.     

Amacrine cells in the ganglion cell layer of the cat retina

Following transection of the optic nerve, ganglion cells in the cat retina undergo retrograde degeneration. However, many small profiles (less than or equal to 10 micron) survive in the ganglion cell layer. Previously considered to be neuroglia, there is now substantial evidence that they are displaced amacrine cells. Their density increases from approximately 1,000 cells/mm2 in peripheral retina to 7,000 cells/mm2 in the central area. Their total number was found to be 850,000, which is five times the number of ganglion cells and also five times the number of astrocytes. Uptake of 3H-muscimol followed by autoradiography labelled 75% of the displaced amacrine cells; hence, the majority seem to be GABAergic. Immunocytochemistry with an antibody directed against choline-acetyl-transferase labelled approximately 10% of the displaced amacrines in the peripheral retina and 17% in the central area. Uptake of serotonin (5-HT) followed by immunocytochemistry was found in 25-30% of displaced amacrines. NADPH diaphorase histochemistry labelled approximately 5% of displaced amacrine cells. The sum of the various percentages make colocalization likely. Intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow under microscopic control revealed that displaced amacrine cells constitute several morphological types.     

Amacrine cells coupled to ganglion cells via gap junctions are highly vulnerable in glaucomatous mouse retinas

We determined whether the structural and functional integrity of amacrine cells (ACs), the largest cohort of neurons in the mammalian retina, are affected in glaucoma. Intraocular injection of microbeads was made in mouse eyes to elevate intraocular pressure as a model of experimental glaucoma. Specific immunocytochemical markers were used to identify AC and displaced (d)ACs subpopulations in both the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers, respectively, and to distinguish them from retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Calretinin- and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-immunoreactive (IR) cells were highly vulnerable to glaucomatous damage, whereas choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-positive and glycinergic AC subtypes were unaffected. The AC loss began 4 weeks after initial microbead injection, corresponding to the time course of RGC loss. Recordings of electroretinogram (ERG) oscillatory potentials and scotopic threshold responses, which reflect AC and RGC activity, were significantly attenuated in glaucomatous eyes following a time course that matched that of the AC and RGC loss. Moreover, we found that it was the ACs coupled to RGCs via gap junctions that were lost in glaucoma, whereas uncoupled ACs were largely unaffected. Our results suggest that AC loss in glaucoma occurs secondary to RGC death through the gap junction–mediated bystander effect. J. Comp. Neurol. 527:159–173, 2019. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Amacrine cells in the tiger salamander retina: morphology, physiology, and neurotransmitter identification.

Amacrine cells of the vertebrate retina comprise multiple neurochemical types. Yet details of their electrophysiological and morphology properties as they relate to neurotransmitter content are limited. This issue of relating light responsiveness, dendritic projection, and neurotransmitter content has been addressed in the retinal slice preparation of the tiger salamander. Amacrine cells were whole-cell clamped and stained with Lucifer yellow (LY), then processed to determine their immunoreactivity (IR) to GABA, glycine, dopamine or tyrosine hydroxylase (TOH), and glucagon antisera. Widefield, ON-OFF amacrine cells were glycine-IR. The processes of these cells extended laterally in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) from 250-600 microns. They were either multistratified in the IPL or monostratified near the IPL midline. Three multistratified ON-OFF narrowfield glycine-IR cells also were found. Four types of ON amacrine cells were found to be GABA-IR; all types had their processes concentrated in the proximal IPL (sublamina b). Type I cells were narrowfield (approximately 100 microns) with a compact projection. Type II cells were widefield (220-300 microns) with a sparse projection. Type III cells had an asymmetrical projection and varicose processes. Type IV cells were pyriform and monostratified in sublamina b. One narrowfield ON-OFF amacrine cell, with processes broadly distributed in the middle of the IPL, was GABA-IR. This cell appeared similar to an ON-OFF cell that was glycine-IR and may comprise a type in which GABA and glycine colocalize. Another class of amacrine cell, with processes forming a major plexus along the distal border of the IPL and a lesser plexus in the proximal IPL, produced slow responses at light ON and OFF; these cells were dopamine/TOH-IR. A narrowfield class of transient ON-OFF amacrine cell, with processes ramifying throughout both sublaminae a and b of the IPL, were glucagon-IR; these cells appeared to be dye-coupled at the soma. We have shown that, with respect to GABA, glycine, dopamine, and glucagon, salamander amacrine cells fall into rather discrete groups on the basis of ramification patterns in the IPL and responses to photic stimulation. The physiological, structural, and neurochemical diversity of amacrine cells is indicative of multiple and complex roles in retinal processing.     

An intracellular electrophysiological study of the ontogeny of functional synapses in the rabbit retina. II. Amacrine cells

Intracellular recordings in an isolated perfused retina-eyecup preparation of the neonate rabbit were used to study the physiological development of amacrine cells. By responding with transient depolarizations at the onset and termination of illumination, mature mammalian on-off amacrine cell recordings appeared similar to those described in lower vertebrates. However, immature amacrine cell recordings showed a predominantly on response, with off responses small and easily fatigued during repetitive stimulation. This underdeveloped off component of the amacrine cell response could also be abolished by decreasing the area of receptive field that was stimulated. The more slowly developing off component may reflect a different maturation rate of depolarizing (on) and hyperpolarizing (off) bipolar cells. In addition, properties of the maturing inner plexiform layer were examined with extracellular recordings of the proximal negative response (PNR). The PNR showed evidence of evidence of easy fatigability more evident in the off response. These observations are consistent with the idea that the initial phase of light sensitivity is associated with labile synaptic input from bipolar cells.     

Receptive Field Properties of Starburst Cholinergic Amacrine Cells in the Rabbit Retina

Patch-clamp recordings were made from ON starburst cholinergic amacrine cells with somas located in the ganglion cell layer of an isolated, dark-adapted rabbit retina preparation. Light responses were analysed and cell identity was confirmed anatomically. The centre light response had a linear current-voltage relation with a reversal potential close to 0 mV. The receptive field size was similar to the dendritic field size. Cholinergic amacrine cells displayed significant surround inhibition. The receptive field profile consisted of a central excitatory region flanked by an inhibitory surround. The surround attenuated the central response to 36% of the maximum. The surround was probably mediated by a combination of presynaptic and postsynaptic inhibition. Starburst amacrine cells did not display action potentials and the presence of a large, voltage-dependent outward current limited depolarizing responses to a maximum potential of about -40 mV. Light responses were completely suppressed during application of 100 μM D, L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB), consistent with activation exclusively through rod bipolar cells (on) and ON-cone bipolar cells. In darkness the cells displayed a tonic inward current that could be blocked by 100 μM APB and 2 μM CNQX.     

Amacrine cell interactions underlying the response to change in the tiger salamander retina

The neural circuitry and pharmacology underlying transient signal formation at the bipolar-amacrine cell interface were studied. Synaptic currents were measured with whole cell patch clamp in retinal slices. Cell types were identified with Lucifer yellow staining. Activity was initiated with puffs of kainate of known time course and spatial spread delivered at bipolar dendrites. OFF bipolar cells responded to kainate with a sustained inward current, but ON bipolar cells were silent. Two types of amacrine cell were found: (1) narrow field cells, with processes that extended laterally less than 200 microns, responding with a sustained inward current, and (2) wide field cells, with processes that extended laterally by up to 1 mm, responding with a brief transient inward current followed by a more sustained outward current. We pharmacologically dissected the synaptic interactions underlying the transient current in the wide field amacrine cell. In the presence of 5-aminovaleric acid (AVA), the time course of this transient current was increased so that it resembled the response of bipolar cells. Because AVA is a GABAB antagonist, it appears to block an opposing signal that truncates the sustained excitatory bipolar input, thereby generating the transient. GABAB specificity is confirmed by (1) block of the transient inward current by baclofen, a GABAB agonist, and (2) block of the baclofen effect by AVA. The site of GABAB action appears to be presynaptic to the amacrine cell membrane because neither baclofen nor AVA, in combination with picrotoxin, had a direct effect at the amacrine cell membrane. GABAB receptors are often found at presynaptic terminals where they modulate calcium or potassium conductances. It has been shown that bipolar cell terminals receive a GABAergic synaptic input (Vaughn et al., 1981; Wu et al., 1981; Tachibana and Kaneko, 1987). The narrow field sustained-responding amacrine cells appear to be GABAergic (Werblin et al., 1988). This suggests that transient activity measured in wide field amacrine cells is formed at a population of bipolar cell terminals by GABAergic feedback from narrow field amacrine cells at GABAB receptors.     

Interrelationships between Cellular Density,Mosaic Patterning,and Dendritic Coverage of VGluT3 Amacrine Cells

Amacrine cells of the retina are conspicuously variable in their morphologies, their population demographics, and their ensuing functions. Vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGluT3) amacrine cells are a recently characterized type of amacrine cell exhibiting local dendritic autonomy. The present analysis has examined three features of this VGluT3 population, including their density, local distribution, and dendritic spread, to discern the extent to which these are interrelated, using male and female mice. We first demonstrate that Bax-mediated cell death transforms the mosaic of VGluT3 cells from a random distribution into a regular mosaic. We subsequently examine the relationship between cell density and mosaic regularity across recombinant inbred strains of mice, finding that, although both traits vary across the strains, they exhibit minimal covariation. Other genetic determinants must therefore contribute independently to final cell number and to mosaic order. Using a conditional KO approach, we further demonstrate that Bax acts via the bipolar cell population, rather than cell-intrinsically, to control VGluT3 cell number. Finally, we consider the relationship between the dendritic arbors of single VGluT3 cells and the distribution of their homotypic neighbors. Dendritic field area was found to be independent of Voronoi domain area, while dendritic coverage of single cells was not conserved, simply increasing with the size of the dendritic field. Bax-KO retinas exhibited a threefold increase in dendritic coverage. Each cell, however, contributed less dendrites at each depth within the plexus, intermingling their processes with those of neighboring cells to approximate a constant volumetric density, yielding a uniformity in process coverage across the population.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Different types of retinal neuron spread their processes across the surface of the retina to achieve a degree of dendritic coverage that is characteristic of each type. Many of these types achieve a constant coverage by varying their dendritic field area inversely with the local density of like-type neighbors. Here we report a population of retinal amacrine cells that do not develop dendritic arbors in relation to the spatial positioning of such homotypic neighbors; rather, this cell type modulates the extent of its dendritic branching when faced with a variable number of overlapping dendritic fields to approximate a uniformity in dendritic density across the retina.     

神经干细胞与脑胶质瘤干细胞☆

所有的肿瘤组织并不是由均一的肿瘤细胞所组成的,不同的细胞具有不同的增殖、浸润和转移能力,亦即肿瘤的异质性。其中存在少数担当着干细胞角色的肿瘤细胞,具有干细胞的基本特性,包括自我更新能力、无限的增殖能力和多向分化潜能,为肿瘤干细胞。神经干细胞具有很强的自我更新机制,获得较少突变即有可能恶性转化,而且干细胞存活时间较长,这意味着干细胞比成熟细胞发生细胞复制的错误几率更大,因外界环境的刺激而发生突变的机会更多,最终形成脑胶质瘤干细胞,同时调节神经干细胞增殖和自我更新的基因在脑胶质瘤的脑胶质瘤干细胞中也表达,这也是支持神经干细胞是脑胶质瘤干细胞来源的;也有推测认为它可能起源于已分化的细胞,由这些细胞突变发生去分化得来,并通过基因突变而获得了干细胞自我更新的特性,从而形成脑胶质瘤干细胞。通过探讨神经干细胞与脑胶质瘤干细胞,为脑胶质瘤的治疗提供依据。     

Quite amusing stem cells:Muse cells

<正>Stem cells may be the future of therapeutics for stroke due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory capabilities.Major barriers faced when employing stem cells,however,include faulty migration,low cell survival,and diminished proliferation.M ultilineage-differentiating stress ensuring (Muse) cells,a subset of mesenchymal stem cells,overcome these barriers.Muse cells aid in neuroregeneration,have immense regenerative potential,and are pluripotent,non-tumorigenic,and immunomodulatory.I...     

神经干细胞诱导骨髓基质细胞向神经元样细胞分化

目的：研究骨髓基质细胞向神经元样细胞分化的条件。方法：神经十细胞诱导骨髓基质细胞向神经元样细胞分化，免疫细胞化学方法对分化的和未分化的细胞进行鉴定。结果：神经于细胞可诱导骨髓基质细胞向神经元样细胞分化，分化的细胞表达神经元的标志物神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)。结论：骨髓组织中存在能分化为神经元的于细胞，可能成为中枢神经系统自体移植的于细胞的来源。     

Oligodendroglioma-like cells (clear cells) in ependymoma

A brain tumor of a 22-year-old man was composed mostly of round cells with perinuclear halos (clear cells), forming clusters intersected by small blood vessels. In some areas, the tumor cells showed perivascular arrangement and epithelial pattern. Phosphotungstic-acid hematoxylin stain and immunoperoxidase stain for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) technique failed to stain the clear cells. Electron microscopy of the clear cells revealed them to be classical ependymoma cells with well developed intercellular junctions, microvilli and cilia. As no reporters in the past showed the evidence to clarify the nature of the clear cells, this case is considered a good example to support the viewpoint that the clear cells (oligodendroglioma-like cells) commonly observed in ependymomas are in reality ependymoma cells. It is stressed that the diagnosis of "mixed glioma" or "oligoependymoma" should be made with sufficient caution despite the recent advances of GFAP technique.     

The tropism of embryoid body cells for glioma cells

It has been demonstrated that several types of adult stem cells have a common attribute of tropism for gliomas. In our study, we provided evidence that embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid body (EB) cells also exhibited a tropism for gliomas. Chemotaxis assays and organotypic hippocampal slice culture experiments showed that EB cells were attracted by the conditioned medium from C6 glioma cells and by C6 glioma cells deposited on the slice. Aggregate culture assays showed that EB cells could coaggregate with C6 glioma cells. Embryoid body cells injected intratumorally were found to distribute throughout the tumor mass. All data indicated that EB cells displayed a tropism for gliomas.     

Astroglial cells: glucocorticoid target cells in the brain

Glutamine synthetase (GS), an enzyme localized in astroglial cells in the brain, is directly implicated in brain detoxification. An ontogenic study of GS activity was performed in homogenates from four distinct brain areas in comparison with the respective astrocytes obtained in primary cultures. GS was induced by hydrocortisone in the astrocytes of all brain areas studied; only cerebellum and cerebral hemisphere astroglial cells had a higher specific activity when compared with the corresponding homogenates. N6O2-Dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dBc AMP), insulin, soluble brain factors, and noradrenaline (NA) were also able to modulate GS activity. Brain factors as well as dBc AMP interfered with hydrocortisone induction of GS. Regulation by hydrocortisone paralleled the variation in its concentration in brain during development. We conclude that astroglial cells are target cells for glucocorticoids, which may modulate ammonia detoxification in these cells.     

Dipping cells in acidic bath could make stem cells

<正>The discovery that somatic mammalian cells can be epigenetically reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)through the exogenous expression of the Oct4,Sox2,Klf4 and c-Myc(OSKM)has demonstrated a new way for cell-replacement therapy in regenerative medicine(Li et al.,2013;Nishimura     

脂肪来源干细胞诱导表皮细胞化的研究现状与进展

背景：脂肪干细胞通过向表皮细胞进行诱导可以对难愈创面的修复提供理想的解决方法。 目的：通过分析总结近10年以来脂肪干细胞的研究方法和思路,期待能为脂肪干细胞诱导表皮细胞化提供总结和探索。 方法：由第一作者分别以“干细胞、脂肪干细胞”、“ADSCs 、adipose derived stem cells” 为检索词,应用计算机检索重庆维普(VIP)期刊全文数据库以及万方数据库2001-01/2010-10有关文章,纳入有关脂肪干细胞组织工程的文献。排除与研究目的无关和内容重复者。保留26篇文献做进一步分析。 结果及结论：脂肪干细胞作为一种种子细胞,有望在一定的条件下定向诱导分化成为表皮细胞,并且提高诱导分化率和扩增能力,最终达到临床治疗使用的目的。其具有的来源丰富、易于获得、有多向分化潜能、相容性好、对患者损伤小等特点无疑是其他众多间充质干细胞所无法比拟的。但同时,脂肪干细胞在无免疫力的移植受体上表现的肿瘤样无限增生特性,在进入临床试验前仍需要寻找并建立合适的动物模型进行长期观测以确定其移植后的安全性;其次,脂肪干细胞向表皮细胞诱导尚无一安全稳定并行之有效的培养、诱导方式;以及在批量提取生产脂肪干细胞的过程中,如何保障细胞质量的均一稳定性仍然有待进一步研究。     

间充质干细胞向肝样细胞的诱导分化

目前很多体内外实验都已表明间充质干细胞具有向肝样细胞或肝细胞分化的能力,这使间充质干细胞治疗肝脏疾病成为可能。 目的：总结和分析间充质干细胞向肝样细胞诱导分化的方法、机制以及存在的问题。 方法：应用计算机检索PubMed数据库(2000-01/2009-12),以“mesenchymal stem cells,hepatocyte, differentiation”为检索词;应用计算机检索维普数据库(2000-01/2009-12),以“间充质干细胞,肝细胞,诱导分化”为检索词。选择文章内容与间充质干细胞诱导分化为肝细胞相关,同一领域文献则选择近期发表或发表在权威杂志文章。 结果与结论：共收集146篇关于间充质干细胞向肝样细胞诱导分化的文章,纳入 31篇符合标准的文献。间充质干细胞可在体外及肝脏病理条件下分化为肝细胞,其作用机制主要是间充质干细胞在合适的细胞因子组合诱导下,细胞因子通过特定的细胞信号传导途径,作用于细胞核,启动或关闭相应的基因,表达特异的蛋白质,使间充质干细胞向肝细胞分化。随着研究不断得深入,这使间充质干细胞治疗肝脏疾病成为可能,但其研究有待进一步完善。