Cell death in the inner nuclear layer of the retina is modulated by BDNF

Homeostatic plasticity in the retina

Vision begins in the retina, whose intricate neural circuits extract salient features of the environment from the light entering our eyes. Neurodegenerative diseases of the retina (e.g., inherited retinal degenerations, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma) impair vision and cause blindness in a growing number of people worldwide. Increasing evidence indicates that homeostatic plasticity (i.e., the drive of a neural system to stabilize its function) can, in principle, preserve retinal function in the face of major perturbations, including neurodegeneration. Here, we review the circumstances and events that trigger homeostatic plasticity in the retina during development, sensory experience, and disease. We discuss the diverse mechanisms that cooperate to compensate and the set points and outcomes that homeostatic retinal plasticity stabilizes. Finally, we summarize the opportunities and challenges for unlocking the therapeutic potential of homeostatic plasticity. Homeostatic plasticity is fundamental to understanding retinal development and function and could be an important tool in the fight to preserve and restore vision.

Differential Expression of BDNF and BIM in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rat Retina After Fluoxetine Injection

BACKGROUND

Chronic diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a diabetic complication that causes blindness. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression is induced by fluoxetine. We observed the effects of fluoxetine on a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were divided into three groups: Control, diabetic (65 mg/kg STZ injection), and diabetic with fluoxetine injection (20 mg/kg/week, six times). Western blotting was performed using anti-BDNF and anti-hexaribonucleotide-binding protein-3. Expression of BCL2 apoptosis regulator-like protein 11 (BIM) was analysed using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

BDNF levels were significantly higher in the diabetic group treated with fluoxetine than in the untreated diabetic group. BIM expression was higher in the diabetic group than in the control group. BIM gene expression was lower in fluoxetine-treated diabetic group than in the untreated diabetic group.

CONCLUSION

Fluoxetine had an anti-apoptotic effect with upregulation of BDNF expression in retina of rats with STZ-induced diabetes.

n-3 Fatty Acid and Its Metabolite 18-HEPE Ameliorate Retinal Neuronal Cell Dysfunction by Enhancing Müller BDNF in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a widespread vision-threatening disease, and neuroretinal abnormality should be considered as an important problem. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has recently been considered as a possible treatment to prevent DR-induced neuroretinal damage, but how BDNF is upregulated in DR remains unclear. We found an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the vitreous of patients with DR. We confirmed that human retinal endothelial cells secreted H₂O₂ by high glucose, and H₂O₂ reduced cell viability of MIO-M1, Müller glia cell line, PC12D, and the neuronal cell line and lowered BDNF expression in MIO-M1, whereas BDNF administration recovered PC12D cell viability. Streptozocin-induced diabetic rats showed reduced BDNF, which is mainly expressed in the Müller glia cell. Oral intake of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (EPA-E) ameliorated BDNF reduction and oscillatory potentials (OPs) in electroretinography (ERG) in DR. Mass spectrometry revealed an increase in several EPA metabolites in the eyes of EPA-E-fed rats. In particular, an EPA metabolite, 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (18-HEPE), induced BDNF upregulation in Müller glia cells and recovery of OPs in ERG. Our results indicated diabetes-induced oxidative stress attenuates neuroretinal function, but oral EPA-E intake prevents retinal neurodegeneration via BDNF in Müller glia cells by increasing 18-HEPE in the early stages of DR.

Anesthesia-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis in the Developing Retina: A Window of Opportunity

BACKGROUND

Anesthetics cause widespread apoptosis in the developing brain, resulting in neurocognitive abnormalities. However, it is unknown whether anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity occurs in humans because there is currently no modality to assess for neuronal apoptosis in vivo. The retina is unique in that it is the only portion of the central nervous system that can be directly visualized noninvasively. Thus, we aimed to determine whether isoflurane induces apoptosis in the developing retina.

METHODS

CD-1 male mouse pups underwent 1-hour exposure to isoflurane (2%) or air. After exposure, activated caspase-3, caspase-9, and caspase-8 were quantified in the retina, cytochrome c release from retinal mitochondria was assessed, and the number and types of cells undergoing apoptosis were identified. Retinal uptake and the ability of fluorescent-labeled annexin V to bind to cells undergoing natural cell death and anesthesia-induced apoptosis in the retina were determined after systemic injection.

RESULTS

Isoflurane activated the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and activated both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways in the ganglion cell layer. Immunofluorescence demonstrated that bipolar and amacrine neurons within the INL underwent physiologic cell death in both cohorts and that amacrine cells were the likely targets of isoflurane-induced apoptosis. After injection, fluorescent-labeled annexin V was readily detected in the INL of both air-exposed and isoflurane-exposed mice and colocalized with activated caspase-3-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that isoflurane-induced neuronal apoptosis occurs in the developing retina and lays the groundwork for development of a noninvasive imaging technique to detect anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity in infants and children.

Low plasma levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor are potential risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients

Previous studies suggested that neurotrophins play a role in the diabetic retinopathy (DR). We therefore evaluated the role of plasma brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR). Plasma levels of BDNF were determined in type 2 diabetic patients (N=344). At baseline, the demographical and clinical data were taken. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression models. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) was used to test the overall predict accuracy of BDNF and other markers. Diabetic patients with DR and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR) had significantly lower BDNF levels on admission (P<0.0001 both). BDNF improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the diabetes duration for DR from 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.82) to 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82-0.95; P<0.01) and for VDTR from 0.84 (95% CI, 0.78-0.92) to 0.95 (95% CI, 0.90-0.98; P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for common risk factors showed that plasma BDNF levels≤12.4 ng/mL(1(rd) quartiles) was an independent marker of DR (OR=3.92; 95%CI: 2.31-6.56) and VTDR (OR=4.88; 95%CI: 2.21-9.30). The present study demonstrated that decreased plasma levels of BDNF were independent markers for DR and VDTR in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients, suggesting a possible role of BDNF in the pathogenesis of DR complications.

Neuropeptides, trophic factors, and other substances providing morphofunctional and metabolic protection in experimental models of diabetic retinopathy

Vision is the most important sensory modality for many species, including humans. Damage to the retina results in vision loss or even blindness. One of the most serious complications of diabetes, a disease that has seen a worldwide increase in prevalence, is diabetic retinopathy. This condition stems from consequences of pathological metabolism and develops in 75% of patients with type 1 and 50% with type 2 diabetes. The development of novel protective drugs is essential. In this review we provide a description of the disease and conclude that type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes lead to the same retinopathy. We evaluate existing experimental models and recent developments in finding effective compounds against this disorder. In our opinion, the best models are the long-term streptozotocin-induced diabetes and Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty and spontaneously diabetic Torii rats, while the most promising substances are topically administered somatostatin and pigment epithelium-derived factor analogs, antivasculogenic substances, and systemic antioxidants. Future drug development should focus on these.

Matters of life and death: the role of chromatin remodeling proteins in retinal neuron survival

Retinal neurons are highly vulnerable to a diverse array of neurotoxic stimuli that leads to their degeneration, which is a major contributor to blindness. This review summarizes the role of epigenetic factors in mediating neuronal homeostasis and survival to protect against cell death and neurodegenerative conditions. Studies in human patients and mouse models implicate numerous chromatin modifications in neuroprotective processes including histone protein acetylation and methylation, DNA methylation, and ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling. Recent research has begun to uncover specific epigenetic mechanisms invoked by neurotoxic stimuli. Continued investigation in this area will be the key to the generation of therapeutic strategies for the intervention of retinal neurodegenerative diseases.

Effect of adenovirus-mediated brain derived neurotrophic factor in early retinal neuropathy of diabetes in rats

AIM

To observe effect of adenovirus-mediated brain derived neurotrophic factor in early retinal neuropathy of diabetes in rats.

METHODS

Adult male Wistar rats, 9 weeks of age, were injected intraperitoneally with STZ to induce diabetes. Two weeks after the models were established, Ad.BDNF was administered into the vitreous cavities of rats. Four weeks after the models were set up, the rats were killed and the retina was removed for Western blotting and whole-mount immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) to observe the changes of TH and dopaminergic amacrine cells in retina.

RESULTS

The protein levels of TH and the number of positive staining dopaminergic amacrine cells and the staining gray scale of experimental group without Ad.BDNF were lower statistically. But there was no statistically significant difference between the experimental group with Ad.BDNF and control group.

CONCLUSION

In the early stage of STZ diabetic, the administration of Ad.BDNF into the vitreous cavities can increase TH protein levels and the density of dopaminergic amacrine cells in the STZ rats' retina.

Amacrine cell gene expression and survival signaling: differences from neighboring retinal ganglion cells

PURPOSE. To describe how developing amacrine cells and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) differ in survival signaling and global gene expression. METHODS. Amacrine cells were immunopurified and processed for gene microarray analysis. For survival studies, purified amacrine cells were cultured at low density in serum-free medium, with and without peptide trophic factors and survival pathway inhibitors. The differences in gene expression between amacrine cells and RGCs were analyzed by comparing the transcriptomes of these two cell types at the same developmental ages. RESULTS. The amacrine cell transcriptome was very dynamic during development. Amacrine cell gene expression was remarkably similar to that of RGCs, but differed in several gene ontologies, including polarity- and neurotransmission-associated genes. Unlike RGCs, amacrine cell survival in vitro was independent of cell density and the presence of exogenous trophic factors, but necessitated Erk activation via MEK1/2 and AKT signaling. Finally, comparison of the gene expression profile of amacrine cells and RGCs provided a list of polarity-associated candidate genes that may explain the inability of amacrine cells to differentiate axons and dendrites as RGCs do. CONCLUSIONS. Comparison of the gene expression profile between amacrine cells and RGCs may improve our understanding of why amacrine cells fail to differentiate axons and dendrites during retinal development and of what makes amacrine cells differ in their resistance to neurodegeneration. Switching RGCs to an amacrine cell-like state could help preserve their survival in neurodegenerative diseases like glaucoma, and amacrine cells could provide a ready source of replacement RGCs in such optic neuropathies.

TrkB/BDNF signaling regulates photoreceptor progenitor cell fate decisions

Neurotrophins, via activation of Trk receptor tyrosine kinases, serve as mitogens, survival factors and regulators of arborization during retinal development. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB regulate neuronal arborization and survival in late retinal development. However, TrkB is expressed during early retinal development where its functions are unclear. To assess TrkB/BDNF actions in the early chick retina, replication-incompetent retroviruses were utilized to over-express a dominant negative truncated form of TrkB (trunc TrkB), or BDNF and effects were assessed at E15. Clones expressing trunc TrkB were smaller than controls, and proliferation and apoptosis assays suggest that decreased clone size correlated with increased cell death when BDNF/TrkB signaling was impaired. Analysis of clonal composition revealed that trunc TrkB over-expression decreased photoreceptor numbers (41%) and increased cell numbers in the middle third of the inner nuclear layer (INL) (23%). Conversely, BDNF over-expression increased photoreceptor numbers (25%) and decreased INL numbers (17%). Photoreceptors over-expressing trunc TrkB demonstrated no increase in apoptosis nor abnormalities in lamination suggesting that TrkB activation is not required for photoreceptor cell survival or migration. These studies suggest that TrkB signaling regulates commitment to and/or differentiation of photoreceptor cells from retinal progenitor cells, identifying a novel role for TrkB/BDNF in regulating cell fate decisions.

A cholesterol-enriched diet induces ultrastructural changes in retinal and macroglial rabbit cells

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the excess of cholesterol in rabbits induces ultrastructural retinal changes similar to those observed in human age-related macular degeneration (AMD). New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups: Control (GO; n=10), fed standard diet for 8 months; hypercholesterolemic (G1; n=10), fed with 0.5% cholesterol-enriched diet for 8 months. Eyes were processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunohistochemistry (anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein, GPAP). In comparison with GO, G1 exhibited alterations in all the retinal layers that were more intense in areas overlying altered retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). RPE changes showed no preferential location. In G1, Bruch's membrane was thicker as a result particle build-up in the collagen layers; the cytoplasm of RPE showed dense bodies, debris from cell membranes, vacuoles and numerous clumps of lipids; necrosis and apoptosis were detected in different retinal layers; Müller cells and astrocytes were reactive with instances of apoptosis and necrosis; some Müller cells filled up the empty spaces left by degenerated neurons in all retinal layers; some Müller cell nuclei were displaced to the nerve-fiber layer (NFL); epiretinal perivascular astrocytes contained drops of lipids; the NFL had very few astrocytes and the basal membranes of capillaries in the NFL was thicker. Excess cholesterol induces ultrastructural changes in the rabbit retina similar to those in human AMD. Given that lipid intake is most dependent on food composition, dietary regimen could help induce or prevent retinal disease.

Mutations that affect the survival of selected amacrine cell subpopulations define a new class of genetic defects in the vertebrate retina

Amacrine neurons are among the most diverse cell classes in the vertebrate retina. To gain insight into mechanisms vital to the production and survival of amacrine cell types, we investigated a group of mutations in three zebrafish loci: kleks (kle), chiorny (chy), and bergmann (bgm). Mutants of all three genes display a severe loss of selected amacrine cell subpopulations. The numbers of GABA-expressing amacrine interneurons are sharply reduced in all three mutants, while cell loss in other amacrine cell subpopulations varies and some cells are not affected at all. To investigate how amacrine cell loss affects retinal function, we performed electroretinograms on mutant animals. While the kle mutation mostly influences the function of the inner nuclear layer, unexpectedly the chy mutant phenotype also involves a loss of photoreceptor cell activity. The precise ration and arrangement of amacrine cell subpopulations suggest that cell-cell interactions are involved in the differentiation of this cell class. To test whether defects of such interactions may be, at least in part, responsible for mutant phenotypes, we performed mosaic analysis and demonstrated that the loss of parvalbumin-positive amacrine cells in chy mutants is due to extrinsic (cell-nonautonomous) causes. The phenotype of another amacrine cell subpopulation, the GABA-positive cells, does not display a clear cell-nonautonomy in chy animals. These results indicate that environmental factors, possibly interactions among different subpopulations of amacrine neurons, are involved in the development of the amacrine cell class.

NMDA receptor activation modulates programmed cell death during early post-natal retinal development: a BDNF-dependent mechanism

Glutamate is a classical excitotoxin of the central nervous system (CNS), but extensive work demonstrates neuroprotective roles of this neurotransmitter in developing CNS. Mechanisms of glutamate-mediated neuroprotection are still under scrutiny. In this study, we investigated mediators of glutamate-induced neuroprotection, and tested whether this neurotransmitter controls programmed cell death in the developing retina. The protective effect of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) upon differentiating cells of retinal explants was completely blocked by a neutralizing antibody to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), but not by an antibody to neurotrophin-4 (NT-4). Consistently, chronic activation of NMDA receptor increased the expression of BDNF and trkB mRNA, as well as BDNF protein content, but did not change the content of NT-4 mRNA in retinal tissue. Furthermore, we showed that in vivo inactivation of NMDA receptor by intraperitoneal injections of MK-801 increased natural cell death of specific cell populations of the post-natal retina. Our results show that chronic activation of NMDA receptors in vitro induces a BDNF-dependent neuroprotective state in differentiating retinal cells, and that NMDA receptor activation controls programmed cell death of developing retinal neurons in vivo.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor modulates the dopaminergic network in the rat retina after axotomy

Dopaminergic cells in the retina express the receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is the neurotrophic factor that influences the plasticity of synapses in the central nervous system. We sought to determine whether BDNF influences the network of dopaminergic amacrine cells in the axotomized rat retina, by immunocytochemistry with an anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antiserum. In the control retina, we found two types of TH-immunoreactive amacrine cells, type I and type II, in the inner nuclear layer adjacent to the inner plexiform layer (IPL). The type I amacrine cell varicosities formed ring-like structures in contact with AII amacrine cell somata in stratum 1 of the IPL. In the axotomized retinas, TH-labeled processes formed loose networks of fibers, unlike the dense networks in the control retina, and the ring-like structures were disrupted. In the axotomized retinas treated with BDNF, strong TH-immunoreactive varicosities were present in stratum 1 of the IPL and formed ring-like structures. Our data suggest that BDNF affects the expression of TH immunoreactivity in the axotomized rat retina and may therefore influence the retinal dopaminergic system.

Müller Cells as a Source of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Retina: Noradrenaline Upregulates Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Cultured Rat Müller Cells

Müller cells, the predominant glial cells in the retina, are thought to play important roles in the survival of retinal neurons. Previous studies have demonstrated that Müller cells express brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has a pronounced neurotrophic effect on retinal ganglion cells. In this study, we investigated whether Müller cells express and release BDNF in culture. Reverse transcriptase-PCR, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting revealed that Müller cells produce BDNF mRNA and protein. Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, BDNF protein levels in Müller cells and their conditioned medium were quantified, demonstrating that Müller cells produce and release high levels of BDNF. Noradrenaline administration caused an upregulation of BDNF mRNA and protein expression by cultured Müller cells. These results suggest that Müller cells may act as an endogenous source of BDNF in the retina. Furthermore, induction of BDNF expression by adrenergic agonists may provide a therapeutic approach to retinal neurodegenerative disorders.

Development of the embryonic porcine neuroretina in vitro

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate the survival and morphology of embryonic porcine full-thickness neuroretina in culture.

METHODS

Porcine fetuses were taken out by cesarian section, and the eyes were enucleated. Neuroretinas were explanted on culture plate inserts and were kept for 0-42 days in vitro under standard culture conditions. Green nucleic acid (Sytox) was used for measuring the extent of cell death, and 4,6-diaminidine-2-phenylindoldihydrochloride was used as a marker for the cellular layers. The explants were examined as whole-mount preparations and vertical sections. Sectioned tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and labeled for immunohistochemistry with photoreceptor-specific antibodies raised against transducin and recoverin.

RESULTS

In explants kept for 0-5 days in vitro, the developing retina consisted of multiple rows of neuroblastic cells and a more defined, but multilayered ganglion cell layer (GCL). Older explants revealed a more differentiated appearance with ultimately all normal retinal layers present, even after 42 days in vitro. Transducin- and recoverin-labeled photoreceptors were seen in these specimens, but no outer segments were found. The whole-mount preparation revealed extensively Sytox-labeled cells in the GCL at 2 days in vitro, but very few cells were labeled in older explants.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that cultured fetal porcine full-thickness neuroretina can survive and develop according to its intrinsic timetable for at least 6 weeks in vitro. The in vitro system for culturing of the full-thickness retina may be useful in experiments involving retinal transplantation.

Involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in early retinal neuropathy of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats: therapeutic potential of brain-derived neurotrophic factor for dopaminergic amacrine cells

Although neurotrophins have been assessed as candidate therapeutic agents for neural complications of diabetes, their involvement in diabetic retinopathy has not been fully characterized. We found that the protein and mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat retinas were reduced to 49% (P < 0.005) and 74% (P < 0.05), respectively, of those of normal control animals. In addition, dopaminergic amacrine cells appeared to be degenerating in the diabetic rat retinas, as revealed by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity. Overall TH protein levels in the retina were decreased to one-half that of controls (P < 0.01), reflecting reductions in the density of dopaminergic amacrine cells and the intensity of TH immunoreactivity within them. To confirm the neuropathological implications of BDNF reduction, we administered BDNF protein into the vitreous cavities of diabetic rats. Intraocular administration of BDNF rescued dopaminergic amacrine cells from neurodegeneration and counteracted the downregulation of TH expression, demonstrating its therapeutic potential. These findings suggest that the early retinal neuropathy of diabetes involves the reduced expression of BDNF and can be ameliorated by an exogenous supply of this neurotrophin.

Functionally intact glutamate-mediated signaling in bipolar cells of the TRKB knockout mouse retina

In the juvenile trkB knockout (trkB−/−) mouse, retina synaptic communication from rods to bipolar cells is severely compromised as evidenced by a complete absence of electroretinogram (ERG)b-wave, even though the inner retina appears anatomically normal (Rohrer et al., 1999). Since it is well known that theb-wave reflects light-dependent synaptic activation of ON bipolar cellsviatheir metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGluR6, we sought to analyze the anatomical and functional integrity of the glutamatergic synapses at these and other bipolar cells in thetrkB−/−mouse. Although rod bipolar cells from wild-type juvenile mice were determined to be immunopositive for trkB, postsynaptic metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptor-mediated pathways in ON and OFF bipolar cells were found to be functionally intact, based on patch electrode recordings, using brief applications (“puffs”) of glutamate or its analog, 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB), a selective agonist for mGluR6 receptors. Ionotropic glutamate receptor function was assayed in OFF-cone bipolar and horizontal cells by applying exogenous glutamatergic agonists in the presence of the channel-permeant guanidinium analogue, 1-amino-4-guanidobutane (AGB). Electron-microscopic analysis revealed that the ribbon synapses between rods and postsynaptic rod bipolar and horizontal cells were formed at the appropriate age and appear to be structurally intact, and immunohistochemical analysis did not detect profound defects in the expression of excitatory amino acid transporters involved in glutamate clearance from the synaptic cleft. These data indicate that there does not appear to be evidence for postsynaptic deficits in glutamatergic signaling in the ON and OFF bipolar cells of mice lacking trkB.

Target-derived and locally derived neurotrophins support retinal ganglion cell survival in the neonatal rat retina

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5) protein and mRNA are found in the neonatal rat retina and also in target sites such as the superficial layers of the superior colliculus. Both neurotrophins support neonatal retinal ganglion cell survival in vitro. In vivo, injections of recombinant BDNF and NT-4/5 reduce naturally occurring cell death as well as death induced by removal of the contralateral superior colliculus. In the latter case, the peak of retinal ganglion cell death occurs about 24 h postlesion. We wished to determine: whether a similar time-course of degeneration occurs after selective removal of target cells or depletion of target-derived trophic factors, and whether ganglion cell viability also depends on intraretinally derived neurotrophins. Retinal ganglion cell death was measured 24 and 48 h following injections of kainic acid or a mixture of BDNF and NT-4/5 blocking antibodies into the superior colliculus and 24 h after intraocular injection of the same antibodies. Retinotectally projecting ganglion cells were identified by retrograde labeling with the nucleophilic dye diamidino yellow. We show that collicular injections of either kainic acid or BDNF and NT-4/5 blocking antibodies significantly increased retinal ganglion cell death in the neonatal rat 24 h postinjection, death rates returning to normal by 48 h. This increase in death was greatest following collicular injections; however, death was also significantly increased 24 h following intravitreal antibody injection. Thus retinal ganglion cell survival during postnatal development is not only dependent upon trophic factors produced by central targets but may also be influenced by local intraretinal neurotrophin release.

Characterization of insulin signaling in rat retina in vivo and ex vivo

Insulin receptor (IR) signaling cascades have been studied in many tissues, but retinal insulin action has received little attention. Retinal IR signaling and activity were investigated in vivo in rats that were freely fed, fasted, or injected with insulin by phosphotyrosine immunoblotting and by measuring kinase activity. A retina explant system was utilized to investigate the IR signaling cascade, and immunohistochemistry was used to determine which retinal cell layers respond to insulin. Basal IR activity in the retina was equivalent to that in brain and significantly greater than that of liver, and it remained constant between freely fed and fasted rats. Furthermore, IR signaling increased in the retina after portal vein administration of supraphysiological doses of insulin. Ex vivo retinas responded to 10 nM insulin with IR beta-subunit (IRbeta) and IR substrate-2 (IRS-2) tyrosine phosphorylation and AktSer473 phosphorylation. The retina expresses mRNA for all three Akt isoforms as determined by in situ hybridization, and insulin specifically increases Akt-1 kinase activity. Phospho-AktSer473 immunoreactivity increases in retinal nuclear cell layers with insulin treatment. These results demonstrate that the retinal IR signaling cascade to Akt-1 possesses constitutive activity, and that exogenous insulin further stimulates this prosurvival pathway. These findings may have implications in understanding normal and dysfunctional retinal physiology.

Determinants of the exclusion zone in dopaminergic amacrine cell mosaics

A fundamental organizing feature of the retina is the presence of regularly spaced distributions of neurons, yet we have little knowledge of how this patterning emerges during development. Among these retinal mosaics, the spatial organization of the dopaminergic amacrine cells is unique: using nearest-neighbor and Vornoi domain analysis, we found that the dopaminergic amacrine cells were neither randomly distributed, nor did they achieve the regularity documented for other retinal cell types. Autocorrelation analysis revealed the presence of an exclusion zone surrounding individual dopaminergic amacrine cells and modeling studies confirmed this organization, as the mosaic could be simulated by a minimal distance spacing rule defined by a broad set of parameters. Experimental studies determined the relative contributions of tangential dispersion, fate determination, and cell death in the establishment of this exclusion zone. Clonal boundary analysis and simulations of proximity-driven movement discount tangential dispersion, while data from bcl-2 overexpressing mice rule out feedback-inhibitory fate-deterministic accounts. Cell death, by contrast, appears to eliminate dopaminergic amacrine cells that are within close proximity, thereby establishing the exclusion zone surrounding individual cells and in turn creating their mosaic regularity.