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Voisin P, Cailleau V, Naud N, Cantereau A, Bernard M. Visual photoreceptor subtypes in the chicken retina: melatonin-synthesizing activity and in vitro differentiation. Cell Tissue Res 2012; 348:417-27. [PMID: 22447166 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-012-1374-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The chicken retina contains five visual photoreceptor subtypes, based on the specific opsin gene they express. In addition to the central role they play in vision, some or all of these photoreceptors translate photoperiodic information into a day-night rhythm of melatonin production. This indolic hormone plays an important role in the photoperiodic regulation of retinal physiology. Previous studies have stopped short of establishing whether melatonin synthesis takes place in all the photoreceptor spectral subtypes. Another issue that has been left unsettled by previous studies is when during development are retinal precursor cells committed to a specific photoreceptor subtype and to a melatoninergic phenotype? To address the first question, in situ hybridization of the five opsins was combined with immunofluorescent detection of the melatonin-synthesizing enzyme hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase (HIOMT, EC.2.1.1.4). Confocal microscopy clearly indicated that all photoreceptor spectral subtypes are involved in melatonin synthesis. To tackle the second question, retinal precursor cells were dissociated between embryonic day 6 (E6) and E13 and cultured in serum-free medium for 4 days to examine their ability to autonomously activate the expression of opsins and HIOMT. Real-time PCR on cultured precursors indicated that red-, green- and violet-sensitive cones are committed at E6, rods at E10 and blue-sensitive cones at E12. HIOMT gene expression was programmed at E6, probably reflecting the differentiation of early cones. The present study provides a better characterization of photoreceptor subtypes in the chicken retina and describes a combination of serum-free culture and real-time PCR that should facilitate further developmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Voisin
- Institut de Physiologie et Biologie Cellulaires, Université de Poitiers, CNRS, Poitiers, France.
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Ferreiro-Galve S, Rodríguez-Moldes I, Anadón R, Candal E. Patterns of cell proliferation and rod photoreceptor differentiation in shark retinas. J Chem Neuroanat 2010; 39:1-14. [PMID: 19822206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2009.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2009] [Revised: 10/05/2009] [Accepted: 10/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We studied the pattern of cell proliferation and its relation with photoreceptor differentiation in the embryonic and postembryonic retina of two elasmobranchs, the lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) and the brown shyshark (Haploblepharus fuscus). Cell proliferation was studied with antibodies raised against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and phospho-histone-H3, and early photoreceptor differentiation with an antibody raised against rod opsin. As regards the spatiotemporal distribution of PCNA-immunoreactive cells, our results reveal a gradual loss of PCNA that coincides in a spatiotemporal sequence with the gradient of layer maturation. The presence of a peripheral growth zone containing pure-proliferating retinal progenitors (the ciliary marginal zone) in the adult retina matches with the general pattern observed in other groups of gnathostomous fishes. However, in the shark retina the generation of new cells is not restricted to the ciliary marginal zone but also occurs in retinal areas that contain differentiated cells: (1) in a transition zone that lies between the pure-proliferating ciliary marginal zone and the central (layered) retina; (2) in the differentiating central area up to prehatching embryos where large amounts of PCNA-positive cells were observed even in the inner and outer nuclear layers; (3) and in the retinal pigment epithelium of prehatching embryos. Rod opsin immunoreactivity was observed in both species when the outer plexiform layer begins to be recognized in the central retina and, as we previously observed in trout, coincided temporally with the weakening in PCNA labelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Ferreiro-Galve
- Department of Cell Biology and Ecology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782-Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Voisin P, Bernard M. Cyclic AMP-dependent activation of rhodopsin gene transcription in cultured retinal precursor cells of chicken embryo. J Neurochem 2009; 110:318-27. [PMID: 19457115 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.06136.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The present study describes a robust 50-fold increase in rhodopsin gene transcription by cAMP in cultured retinal precursor cells of chicken embryo. Retinal cells isolated at embryonic day 8 (E8) and cultured for 3 days in serum-supplemented medium differentiated mostly into red-sensitive cones and to a lesser degree into green-sensitive cones, as indicated by real-time RT-PCR quantification of each specific opsin mRNA. In contrast, both rhodopsin mRNA concentration and rhodopsin gene promoter activity required the presence of cAMP-increasing agents [forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)] to reach significant levels. This response was rod-specific and was sufficient to activate rhodopsin gene transcription in serum-free medium. The increase in rhodopsin mRNA levels evoked by a series of cAMP analogs suggested the response was mediated by protein kinase A, not by EPAC. Membrane depolarization by high KCl concentration also increased rhodopsin mRNA levels and this response was strongly potentiated by IBMX. The rhodopsin gene response to cAMP-increasing agents was developmentally gated between E6 and E7. Rod-specific transducin alpha subunit mRNA levels also increased up to 50-fold in response to forskolin and IBMX, while rod-specific phosphodiesterase-VI and rod arrestin transcripts increased 3- to 10-fold. These results suggest a cAMP-mediated signaling pathway may play a role in rod differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Voisin
- Institut de Physiologie et Biologie Cellulaires, Université de Poitiers, CNRS, Poitiers, France.
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Adler R. Curing blindness with stem cells: hope, reality, and challenges. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2008; 613:3-20. [PMID: 18188924 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-74904-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Adler
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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Koizumi A, Zeck G, Ben Y, Masland RH, Jakobs TC. Organotypic culture of physiologically functional adult mammalian retinas. PLoS One 2007; 2:e221. [PMID: 17311097 PMCID: PMC1794165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2007] [Accepted: 01/26/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The adult mammalian retina is an important model in research on the central nervous system. Many experiments require the combined use of genetic manipulation, imaging, and electrophysiological recording, which make it desirable to use an in vitro preparation. Unfortunately, the tissue culture of the adult mammalian retina is difficult, mainly because of the high energy consumption of photoreceptors. Methods and Findings We describe an interphase culture system for adult mammalian retina that allows for the expression of genes delivered to retinal neurons by particle-mediated transfer. The retinas retain their morphology and function for up to six days— long enough for the expression of many genes of interest—so that effects upon responses to light and receptive fields could be measured by patch recording or multielectrode array recording. We show that a variety of genes encoding pre- and post-synaptic marker proteins are localized correctly in ganglion and amacrine cells. Conclusions In this system the effects on neuronal function of one or several introduced exogenous genes can be studied within intact neural circuitry of adult mammalian retina. This system is flexible enough to be compatible with genetic manipulation, imaging, cell transfection, pharmacological assay, and electrophysiological recordings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amane Koizumi
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Günther Zeck
- Systems and Computational Biology, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Yixin Ben
- Burke Institute, White Plains, New York, United States of America
| | - Richard H. Masland
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tatjana C. Jakobs
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Yaron O, Farhy C, Marquardt T, Applebury M, Ashery-Padan R. Notch1 functions to suppress cone-photoreceptor fate specification in the developing mouse retina. Development 2006; 133:1367-78. [PMID: 16510501 DOI: 10.1242/dev.02311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Notch receptor-mediated cell-cell signaling is known to negatively regulate neurogenesis in both vertebrate and invertebrate species, while being implicated in promoting the acquisition of glial fates. We studied Notch1 function directly during retinal neurogenesis by selective Cre/loxP-triggered Notch1 gene inactivation in peripheral retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) prior to the onset of cell differentiation. Consistent with its previously established role, Notch1 inactivation led to dramatic alteration in the expression profile of multiple basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, consequently prompting premature cell-cycle exit and neuronal specification. Surprisingly, however, Notch1 inactivation led to a striking change in retinal cell composition, with cone-photoreceptor precursors expanding at the expense of other early- as well as late-born cell fates. Intriguingly, the Notch1-deficient precursors adhered to the normal chronological sequence of the cone-photoreceptor differentiation program. Together, these findings reveal an unexpected role of Notch signaling in directly controlling neuronal cell-type composition, and suggest a model by which, during normal retinogenesis, Notch1 functions to suppress cone-photoreceptor fate, allowing for the specification of the diversity of retinal cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orly Yaron
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Dinet V, Girard-Naud N, Voisin P, Bernard M. Melatoninergic differentiation of retinal photoreceptors: activation of the chicken hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase promoter requires a homeodomain-binding element that interacts with Otx2. Exp Eye Res 2006; 83:276-90. [PMID: 16563383 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2005.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2005] [Revised: 12/06/2005] [Accepted: 12/13/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The gene encoding the last enzyme of the melatonin-synthesis pathway, hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT), is selectively expressed in retinal photoreceptors and pineal cells. Here, we analysed the promoter of the chicken HIOMT gene and we found that a homeodomain-binding element located in the proximal region of this promoter was essential for its activation in primary cultures of embryonic chicken retinal cells. This homeodomain-regulatory element interacted with a protein expressed in the chicken retina and pineal gland, which was recognized by an anti-Otx2 antiserum. Recombinant Otx2 expressed in vitro was able to bind this DNA element and to directly transactivate the chicken HIOMT promoter. This promoter was also transactivated by another member of the Otx family, Otx5, but the amplitude of stimulation was lower than with Otx2. The spatio-temporal pattern of Otx2 expression was compatible with a possible role of this transcription factor in HIOMT gene activation. In adult chicken, Otx2 mRNA was found to be present in those two tissues that express HIOMT: the retina and the pineal gland. During development, a burst of Otx2 mRNA closely matched the timing of HIOMT gene activation in these two tissues. In the pineal, Otx2 immunolabelling was specifically localized in the nuclei of photoreceptor cells. In the neural retina, Otx2 immunoreactivity brightly decorated the photoreceptor nuclei and extended more faintly to the outer half of the inner nuclear layer. Together, the data support a role of Otx2 in the onset of HIOMT expression in developing chicken photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Dinet
- Institut de Physiologie et Biologie Cellulaires, UMR CNRS 6187, Neurobiologie Cellulaire, 40 avenue du Recteur Pineau, 86022 Poitiers Cedex, France
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Bradford RL, Wang C, Zack DJ, Adler R. Roles of cell-intrinsic and microenvironmental factors in photoreceptor cell differentiation. Dev Biol 2005; 286:31-45. [PMID: 16120439 PMCID: PMC1351328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2005] [Revised: 06/29/2005] [Accepted: 07/06/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptor differentiation requires the coordinated expression of numerous genes. It is unknown whether those genes share common regulatory mechanisms or are independently regulated by distinct mechanisms. To distinguish between these scenarios, we have used in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, and real-time PCR to analyze the expression of visual pigments and other photoreceptor-specific genes during chick embryo retinal development in ovo, as well as in retinal cell cultures treated with molecules that regulate the expression of particular visual pigments. In ovo, onset of gene expression was asynchronous, becoming detectable at the time of photoreceptor generation (ED 5-8) for some photoreceptor genes, but only around the time of outer segment formation (ED 14-16) for others. Treatment of retinal cell cultures with activin, staurosporine, or CNTF selectively induced or down-regulated specific visual pigment genes, but many cognate rod- or cone-specific genes were not affected by the treatments. These results indicate that many photoreceptor genes are independently regulated during development, are consistent with the existence of at least two distinct stages of gene expression during photoreceptor differentiation, suggest that intrinsic, coordinated regulation of a cascade of gene expression triggered by a commitment to the photoreceptor fate is not a general mechanism of photoreceptor differentiation, and imply that using a single photoreceptor-specific "marker" as a proxy to identify photoreceptor cell fate is problematic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Donald J. Zack
- The Departments of Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology and Genetics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Ruben Adler
- The Departments of Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- *Correspondence should be addressed to: Ruben Adler, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, 519 Maumenee, Baltimore, MD 21287-9257, Phone: 410-955-7589, Fax: 410-955-0749, E-mail:
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Zolessi FR, Arruti C. MARCKS in advanced stages of neural retina histogenesis. Dev Neurosci 2005; 26:371-9. [PMID: 15855766 DOI: 10.1159/000082279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2004] [Accepted: 07/06/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Myristoylated alanine-rich kinase C substrate (MARCKS), an actin-binding protein, is involved in several signal transduction pathways. It is susceptible to be phosphorylated by protein kinases as protein kinase C and some proline-directed kinases. These phosphorylations differently modulate its functions. We previously showed that a phosphorylation at its Ser25 (S25p-MARCKS) in chickens is a signature of this ubiquitous protein in neuron differentiation. To gain insight into the possible involvement of MARCKS in late retinal histogenesis, we compared the developmental expression patterns of the total protein and its S25p variants. Here we show that the most outstanding modifications occur at the outer retina, where S25p disappears at the end of embryonic development and where MARCKS is missing in adults. These results suggest diverse functional specializations in the different retinal layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio R Zolessi
- Laboratorio de Cultivo de Tejidos, Sección Biología Celular, DBCM, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Zhang Y, Coleman JE, Fuchs GE, Semple-Rowland SL. Circadian oscillator function in embryonic retina and retinal explant cultures. BRAIN RESEARCH. MOLECULAR BRAIN RESEARCH 2003; 114:9-19. [PMID: 12782388 DOI: 10.1016/s0169-328x(03)00122-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Retinal circadian oscillators regulate many aspects of retinal function. Investigations of these oscillators and the biochemical cascades that entrain them would be greatly facilitated if experimental paradigms could be identified that permit long-term monitoring of retinal circadian oscillator function in vitro. The purpose of this study was to determine if chicken retinas maintained in explant culture conditions could serve in this capacity. Retinal circadian oscillator function was studied by monitoring iodopsin transcription under cyclic light, constant dark, and following reversal of the light cycle. Rhythms observed in the explant cultures were compared to those observed in retinas of embryos (in ovo) and post-hatch chickens. Robust iodopsin transcript rhythms were observed for up to 9 days in explant cultures maintained under cyclic light. These rhythms persisted for 48 h in constant darkness and the time course for re-entrainment of the rhythm to a reversed light/dark cycle was similar to that observed in post-hatch chicken retinas. These results show that circadian oscillators located within the retina play a key role in the regulation of iodopsin transcription in retinal explant cultures and in retinas of post-hatch chickens. Interestingly, our data show that iodopsin transcription in retinas of intact embryos is primarily, if not entirely, driven by light. These results show that the circadian oscillators driving iodopsin transcription in embryonic retinal explant cultures exhibit functional characteristics similar to those found in post-hatch chicken retina, supporting use of this paradigm in further studies of entrainment of these oscillators in retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida McKnight Brain Institute, 100 Newell Drive, Bldg 59, Rm L1-100, Gainesville, FL 32610-0255, USA
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