Light stimulation evokes two different calcium responses in Müller glial cells of the guinea pig retina

Müller Glia in Retinal Development: From Specification to Circuit Integration

Müller glia of the retina share many features with astroglia located throughout the brain including maintenance of homeostasis, modulation of neurotransmitter spillover, and robust response to injury. Here we present the molecular factors and signaling events that govern Müller glial specification, patterning, and differentiation. Next, we discuss the various roles of Müller glia in retinal development, which include maintaining retinal organization and integrity as well as promoting neuronal survival, synaptogenesis, and phagocytosis of debris. Finally, we review the mechanisms by which Müller glia integrate into retinal circuits and actively participate in neuronal signaling during development.

The Intrinsic Blue Light Responses of Avian Müller Glial Cells Imply Calcium Release from Internal Stores

The retina of vertebrates is responsible for capturing light through visual (cones and rods) and non-visual photoreceptors (intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells and horizontal cells) triggering a number of essential activities associated to image- and non-image forming functions (photic entrainment of daily rhythms, pupillary light reflexes, pineal melatonin inhibition, among others). Although the retina contains diverse types of neuronal based-photoreceptors cells, originally classified as ciliary- or rhabdomeric-like types, in recent years, it has been shown that the major glial cell type of the retina, the Müller glial cells (MC), express blue photopigments as Opn3 (encephalopsin) and Opn5 (neuropsin) and display light responses associated to intracellular Ca2 + mobilization. These findings strongly propose MC as novel retinal photodetectors (Rios et al., 2019). Herein, we further investigated the intrinsic light responses of primary cultures of MC from embryonic chicken retinas specially focused on Ca2 + mobilization by fluorescence imaging and the identity of the internal Ca2 + stores responsible for blue light responses. Results clearly demonstrated that light responses were specific to blue light of long time exposure, and that the main Ca2 + reservoir to trigger downstream responses came from intracellular stores localized in the endoplasmic reticulum These observations bring more complexity to the intrinsic photosensitivity of retinal cells, particularly with regard to the detection of light in the blue range of visible spectra, and add novel functions to glial cells cooperating with other photoreceptors to detect and integrate ambient light in the retinal circuit and participate in cell to cell communication.

Summary statement:

Non-neuronal cells in the vertebrate retina, Muller glial cells, express non-canonical photopigments and sense blue light causing calcium release from intracellular stores strongly suggesting a novel intrinsic photosensitivity and new regulatory events mediating light-driven processes with yet unknown physiological implications.

Non-visual Opsins and Novel Photo-Detectors in the Vertebrate Inner Retina Mediate Light Responses Within the Blue Spectrum Region

In recent decades, a number of novel non-visual opsin photopigments belonging to the family of G protein- coupled receptors, likely involved in a number of non-image-forming processes, have been identified and characterized in cells of the inner retina of vertebrates. It is now known that the vertebrate retina is composed of visual photoreceptor cones and rods responsible for diurnal/color and nocturnal/black and white vision, and cells like the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and photosensitive horizontal cells in the inner retina, both detecting blue light and expressing the photopigment melanopsin (Opn4). Remarkably, these non-visual photopigments can continue to operate even in the absence of vision under retinal degeneration. Moreover, inner retinal neurons and Müller glial cells have been shown to express other photopigments such as the photoisomerase retinal G protein-coupled receptor (RGR), encephalopsin (Opn3), and neuropsin (Opn5), all able to detect blue/violet light and implicated in chromophore recycling, retinal clock synchronization, neuron-to-glia communication, and other activities. The discovery of these new photopigments in the inner retina of vertebrates is strong evidence of novel light-regulated activities. This review focuses on the features, localization, photocascade, and putative functions of these novel non-visual opsins in an attempt to shed light on their role in the inner retina of vertebrates and in the physiology of the whole organism.

Expression of Non-visual Opsins Opn3 and Opn5 in the Developing Inner Retinal Cells of Birds. Light-Responses in Müller Glial Cells

The avian retina is composed of different types of photoreceptors responsible for image and non-image forming tasks: the visual photoreceptor cells (cones and rods), the melanopsin-expressing intrinsically photoresponsive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and horizontal cells. Furthermore, the non-visual opsins Opn3 (encephalopsin/panaopsin) and Opn5 (neuropsin) have been shown to be expressed in the vertebrate inner retina, responding to blue (BL) and UV light, respectively. Here we investigated the expression and localization of Opn3 and Opn5 in the developing chick retina at different embryonic days (E) as well as in primary cultures of retinal Müller glial cells (MCs). Opn3 and Opn5 mRNAs and proteins appeared as early as E10 although traces of Opn3- and Opn5-like proteins were seen earlier by E7 in the forming RGC layer and in glial cells extending throughout the developing nuclear layer. Later on, at postnatal days 1–10 (PN1–10) a significant expression of Opn3 was observed in inner retinal cells and processes in plexiform layers, together with expression of the glial markers glutamine synthetase (GS) and the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Opn3 and Opn5 were found to be expressed in primary MC cultures prepared at E8 and kept for 2 weeks. In addition, significant effects of BL exposure on Opn3 expression and subcellular localization were observed in MCs as BL significantly increased its levels and modified its nuclear location when compared with dark controls, through a mechanism dependent on protein synthesis. More importantly, a subpopulation of MCs responded to brief BL pulses by increasing intracellular Ca²⁺ levels; whereas light-responses were completely abolished with the retinal bleacher hydroxylamine pretreatment. Taken together, our findings show that these two opsins are expressed in inner retinal cells and MCs of the chicken retina at early developmental phases and remain expressed in the mature retina at PN days. In addition, the novel photic responses seen in MCs may suggest another important role for the glia in retinal physiology.

TRPV4 Does Not Regulate the Distal Retinal Light Response

The transient receptor potential vanilloid isoform 4 (TRPV4) functions as polymodal transducer of swelling, heat, stretch, and lipid metabolites, is widely expressed across sensory tissues, and has been implicated in pressure sensing in vertebrate retinas. Although TRPV4 knockout mice exhibit a variety of mechanosensory, nociceptive, and thermo- and osmoregulatory phenotypes, it is not known whether the transmission of light-induced signals in the eye is affected by the loss of TRPV4. We utilized field potentials, a measure of rod and cone signaling, to determine whether TRPV4 impacts on the generation and/or transmission of the photoreceptor light response and neurotransmission. Luminance intensity-response relationships were acquired in anesthetized wild-type and TRPV4^-/- mice and evaluated for peak amplitude and implicit time under scotopic and photopic conditions. We found that the morphology of the outer retina is unaffected by the ablation of the Trpv4 gene. Calcium imaging of dissociated Müller glia showed that selective TRPV4 stimulation induces oscillatory calcium signals in adjacent rods. However, no differences in scotopic or photopic light-evoked signaling in the distal retina were observed in TRPV4-/- eyes, suggesting that TRPV4 signaling in healthy Müller cells does not modulate the transmission of light-evoked signals at rod and cone synapses.

Role of Purines in Müller Glia

Müller glia, the principal macroglia of the retina, express diverse subtypes of adenosine and metabotropic purinergic (P2Y) receptors. Müller cells of several species, including man, also express ionotropic P2X₇ receptors. ATP is liberated from Müller cells after activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors and during osmotic and mechanical induction of membrane stretch; adenosine is released through equilibrative nucleoside transporters. Müller cell-derived purines modulate the neuronal activity and have autocrine effects, for example, induction of glial calcium waves and regulation of the cellular volume. Glial calcium waves induced by neuron-derived ATP mediate functional hyperemia in the retina. Purinergic signaling contributes to the induction of Müller cell gliosis, for example, of cellular proliferation and downregulation of potassium channels, which are important for the homeostatic functions of Müller cells. Purinergic glial calcium waves may also promote the long-range propagation of gliosis and neuronal degeneration across the retinal tissue. The osmotic ATP release is inhibited under pathological conditions. Inhibition of the ATP release may result in osmotic Müller cell swelling and dysregulation of the water transport through the cells; both may contribute to the development of retinal edema. Suppression of the osmotic ATP release and upregulation of the ecto-apyrase (NTPDase1), which facilitate the extracellular degradation of ATP and the formation of adenosine, may protect neurons and photoreceptors from death due to overactivation of P2X receptors. Pharmacological inhibition of P2X₇ receptors and stimulation of adenosine receptors may represent clinical approaches to prevent retinal cell death and dysregulated cell proliferation, and to treat retinal edema.

Comparative electrophysiology of retinal Müller glial cells-A survey on vertebrate species

Müller cells are the dominant macroglial cells in the retina of all vertebrates. They fulfill a variety of functions important for retinal physiology, among them spatial buffering of K⁺ ions and uptake of glutamate and other neurotransmitters. To this end, Müller cells express inwardly rectifying K⁺ channels and electrogenic glutamate transporters. Moreover, a lot of voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels, aquaporin water channels, and electrogenic transporters are expressed in Müller cells, some of them in a species-specific manner. For example, voltage-dependent Na⁺ channels are found exclusively in some but not all mammalian species. Whereas a lot of data exist from amphibians and mammals, the results from other vertebrates are sparse. It is the aim of this review to present a survey on Müller cell electrophysiology covering all classes of vertebrates. The focus is on functional studies, mainly performed using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. However, data about the expression of membrane channels and transporters from immunohistochemistry are also included. Possible functional roles of membrane channels and transporters are discussed. Obviously, electrophysiological properties involved in the main functions of Müller cells developed early in vertebrate evolution. GLIA 2017;65:533-568.

Two different mechanosensitive calcium responses in Müller glial cells of the guinea pig retina: Differential dependence on purinergic receptor signaling

Tractional forces or mechanical stimulation are known to induce calcium responses in retinal glial cells. The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of calcium responses in Müller glial cells of the avascular guinea pig retina induced by focal mechanical stimulation. Freshly isolated retinal wholemounts were loaded with Mitotracker Deep Red (to fill Müller cells) and the calcium-sensitive dye Fluo-4/AM. The inner retinal surface was mechanically stimulated with a micropipette tip for 10 ms. Stimulation induced two different cytosolic calcium responses in Müller cells with different kinetics in dependence on the distance from the stimulation site. Müller cells near the stimulation site displayed an immediate and long-lasting calcium response with high amplitude. This response was mediated by calcium influx from the extracellular space likely triggered by activation of ATP-insensitive P2 receptors. More distant Müller cells displayed, with a delay of 2.4 s, transient calcium responses which propagated laterally in a wave-like fashion. Propagating calcium waves were induced by a calcium-independent release of ATP from Müller cells near the stimulation site, and were mediated by a release of calcium from internal stores triggered by ATP, acting in part at P2Y₁ receptors. The data suggest that mechanically stimulated Müller cells of the guinea pig retina release ATP which induces a propagating calcium wave in surrounding Müller cells. Propagating calcium waves may be implicated in the spatial regulation of the neuronal activity and homeostatic glial functions, and may transmit gliosis-inducing signals across the retina. Mechanical stimulation of guinea pig Müller cells induces two calcium responses: an immediate response around the stimulation site and propagating calcium waves. Both responses are differentially mediated by activation of purinergic receptors. GLIA 2016 GLIA 2017;65:62-74.

The Proteome of Native Adult Müller Glial Cells From Murine Retina

To date, the proteomic profiling of Müller cells, the dominant macroglia of the retina, has been hampered because of the absence of suitable enrichment methods. We established a novel protocol to isolate native, intact Müller cells from adult murine retinae at excellent purity which retain in situ morphology and are well suited for proteomic analyses. Two different strategies of sample preparation - an in StageTips (iST) and a subcellular fractionation approach including cell surface protein profiling were used for quantitative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MSMS) comparing Müller cell-enriched to depleted neuronal fractions. Pathway enrichment analyses on both data sets enabled us to identify Müller cell-specific functions which included focal adhesion kinase signaling, signal transduction mediated by calcium as second messenger, transmembrane neurotransmitter transport and antioxidant activity. Pathways associated with RNA processing, cellular respiration and phototransduction were enriched in the neuronal subpopulation. Proteomic results were validated for selected Müller cell genes by quantitative real time PCR, confirming the high expression levels of numerous members of the angiogenic and anti-inflammatory annexins and antioxidant enzymes (e.g. paraoxonase 2, peroxiredoxin 1, 4 and 6). Finally, the significant enrichment of antioxidant proteins in Müller cells was confirmed by measurements on vital retinal cells using the oxidative stress indicator CM-H2DCFDA. In contrast to photoreceptors or bipolar cells, Müller cells were most efficiently protected against H₂O₂-induced reactive oxygen species formation, which is in line with the protein repertoire identified in the proteomic profiling. Our novel approach to isolate intact glial cells from adult retina in combination with proteomic profiling enabled the identification of novel Müller glia specific proteins, which were validated as markers and for their functional impact in glial physiology. This provides the basis to allow the discovery of novel glial specializations and will enable us to elucidate the role of Müller cells in retinal pathologies — a topic still controversially discussed.

Ca2+ microfluorimetry in retinal Müller glial cells

Calcium acts as a prominent second messenger in virtually every cell type and modulates a plethora of cell functions. Thus, Ca(2+) microfluorimetry became a valuable tool to assess information about mechanisms involved in the regulation of the intracellular calcium level in research on living tissues. Here we offer insight into distinct approaches to detect changes in calcium levels specifically in Müller cells, the principal macroglial cells of the retina.

New functions of Müller cells

Müller cells, the major type of glial cells in the retina, are responsible for the homeostatic and metabolic support of retinal neurons. By mediating transcellular ion, water, and bicarbonate transport, Müller cells control the composition of the extracellular space fluid. Müller cells provide trophic and anti-oxidative support of photoreceptors and neurons and regulate the tightness of the blood-retinal barrier. By the uptake of glutamate, Müller cells are more directly involved in the regulation of the synaptic activity in the inner retina. This review gives a survey of recently discoved new functions of Müller cells. Müller cells are living optical fibers that guide light through the inner retinal tissue. Thereby they enhance the signal/noise ratio by minimizing intraretinal light scattering and conserve the spatial distribution of light patterns in the propagating image. Müller cells act as soft, compliant embedding for neurons, protecting them in case of mechanical trauma, and also as soft substrate required for neurite growth and neuronal plasticity. Müller cells release neuroactive signaling molecules which modulate neuronal activity, are implicated in the mediation of neurovascular coupling, and mediate the homeostasis of the extracellular space volume under hypoosmotic conditions which are a characteristic of intense neuronal activity. Under pathological conditions, a subset of Müller cells may differentiate to neural progenitor/stem cells which regenerate lost photoreceptors and neurons. Increasing knowledge of Müller cell function and responses in the normal and diseased retina will have great impact for the development of new therapeutic approaches for retinal diseases.

GABA and Glutamate Uptake and Metabolism in Retinal Glial (Müller) Cells

Müller cells, the principal glial cells of the retina, support the synaptic activity by the uptake and metabolization of extracellular neurotransmitters. Müller cells express uptake and exchange systems for various neurotransmitters including glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Müller cells remove the bulk of extracellular glutamate in the inner retina and contribute to the glutamate clearance around photoreceptor terminals. By the uptake of glutamate, Müller cells are involved in the shaping and termination of the synaptic activity, particularly in the inner retina. Reactive Müller cells are neuroprotective, e.g., by the clearance of excess extracellular glutamate, but may also contribute to neuronal degeneration by a malfunctioning or even reversal of glial glutamate transporters, or by a downregulation of the key enzyme, glutamine synthetase. This review summarizes the present knowledge about the role of Müller cells in the clearance and metabolization of extracellular glutamate and GABA. Some major pathways of GABA and glutamate metabolism in Müller cells are described; these pathways are involved in the glutamate-glutamine cycle of the retina, in the defense against oxidative stress via the production of glutathione, and in the production of substrates for the neuronal energy metabolism.

Group I mGluR-mediated inhibition of Kir channels contributes to retinal Müller cell gliosis in a rat chronic ocular hypertension model

Müller cell gliosis, which is characterized by upregulated expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), is a universal response in many retinal pathological conditions. Whether down-regulation of inward rectifying K+ (Kir) channels, which commonly accompanies the enhanced GFAP expression, could contribute to Müller cell gliosis is poorly understood. We investigated changes of Kir currents, GFAP and Kir4.1 protein expression in Müller cells in a rat chronic ocular hypertension (COH) model, and explored the mechanisms underlying Müller cell gliosis. We show that Kir currents and Kir4.1 protein expression in Müller cells were reduced significantly, while GFAP expression was increased in COH rats, and these changes were eliminated by MPEP, a group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR I) subtype mGluR5 antagonist. In normal isolated Müller cells, the mGluR I agonist (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) suppressed the Kir currents and the suppression was blocked by MPEP. The DHPG effect was mediated by the intracellular Ca2+ -dependent PLC/IP3-ryanodine/PKC signaling pathway, but the cAMP-PKA pathway was not involved. Moreover, intravitreal injection of DHPG in normal rats induced changes in Müller cells, similar to those observed in COH rats. The DHPG-induced increase of GFAP expression in Müller cells was obstructed by Ba2+, suggesting the involvement of Kir channels. We conclude that overactivation of mGluR5 by excessive extracellular glutamate in COH rats could contribute to Müller cell gliosis by suppressing Kir channels.

Glutamate spillover between mammalian cone photoreceptors

Cone photoreceptors transmit signals at high temporal frequencies and mediate fine spatial vision. High-frequency transmission requires a high rate of glutamate release, which could promote spillover to neighboring cells, whereas spatial vision requires that cones within a tightly packed array signal light to postsynaptic bipolar cells with minimal crosstalk. Glutamate spread from the cone terminal is thought to be limited by presynaptic transporters and nearby glial processes. In addition, there is no ultrastructural evidence for chemical synapses between mammalian cones, although such synapses have been described in lower vertebrate retinas. We tested for cone-cone glutamate diffusion by recording from adjacent cone pairs in the ground squirrel retina, and instead found that the glutamate released by one cone during electrical stimulation activates glutamate transporter Cl(-) conductances on neighboring cones. Unlike in other systems, where crosstalk is diminished by increasing the temperature and by moving to a more intact preparation, glutamate spread persisted at physiological temperatures (37°C) and in retinal flat mounts. The glutamate-gated anion conductance in cones has a reversal potential of ∼-30 mV compared with a cone resting potential of ∼-50 mV; thus, crosstalk should have a depolarizing effect on the cone network. Cone-cone glutamate spread is regulated by the physiological stimulus, light, and under physiological conditions can produce a response of ∼2 mV, equivalent to 13-20% of a cone's light response. We conclude that in the absence of discrete chemical synapses, glutamate flows between cones during a light response and may mediate a spatially distributed positive feedback.

Release of ATP from avian Müller glia cells in culture

ATP can be released from neurons and act as a neuromodulator in the nervous system. Besides neurons, cortical astrocytes also are capable of releasing ATP from acidic vesicles in a Ca(2+)-dependent way. In the present work, we investigated the release of ATP from Müller glia cells of the chick embryo retina by examining quinacrine staining and by measuring the extracellular levels of ATP in purified Müller glia cultures. Our data revealed that glial cells could be labeled with quinacrine, a reaction that was prevented by incubation of the cells with 1μM bafilomycin A1 or 2μM Evans blue, potent inhibitors of vacuolar ATPases and of the vesicular nucleotide transporter, respectively. Either 50mM KCl or 1mM glutamate was able to decrease quinacrine staining of the cells, as well as to increase the levels of ATP in the extracellular medium by 77% and 89.5%, respectively, after a 5min incubation of the cells. Glutamate-induced rise in extracellular ATP could be mimicked by 100μM kainate (81.5%) but not by 100μM NMDA in medium without MgCl(2) but with 2mM glycine. However, both glutamate- and kainate-induced increase in extracellular ATP levels were blocked by 50μM of the glutamatergic antagonists DNQX and MK-801, suggesting the involvement of both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors. Extracellular ATP accumulation induced by glutamate was also blocked by incubation of the cells with 30μM BAPTA-AM or 1μM bafilomycin A1. These results suggest that glutamate, through activation of both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors, induces the release of ATP from retinal Müller cells through a calcium-dependent exocytotic mechanism.

Immunocytochemical evidence for SNARE protein-dependent transmitter release from guinea pig horizontal cells

Horizontal cells are lateral interneurons that participate in visual processing in the outer retina but the cellular mechanisms underlying transmitter release from these cells are not fully understood. In non-mammalian horizontal cells, GABA release has been shown to occur by a non-vesicular mechanism. However, recent evidence in mammalian horizontal cells favors a vesicular mechanism as they lack plasmalemmal GABA transporters and some soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) core proteins have been identified in rodent horizontal cells. Moreover, immunoreactivity for GABA and the molecular machinery to synthesize GABA have been found in guinea pig horizontal cells, suggesting that if components of the SNARE complex are expressed they could contribute to the vesicular release of GABA. In this study we investigated whether these vesicular and synaptic proteins are expressed by guinea pig horizontal cells using immunohistochemistry with well-characterized antibodies to evaluate their cellular distribution. Components of synaptic vesicles including vesicular GABA transporter, synapsin I and synaptic vesicle protein 2A were localized to horizontal cell processes and endings, along with the SNARE core complex proteins, syntaxin-1a, syntaxin-4 and synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25). Complexin I/II, a cytosolic protein that stabilizes the activated SNARE fusion core, strongly immunostained horizontal cell soma and processes. In addition, the vesicular Ca(2+)-sensor, synaptotagmin-2, which is essential for Ca(2+)-mediated vesicular release, was also localized to horizontal cell processes and somata. These morphological findings from guinea pig horizontal cells suggest that mammalian horizontal cells have the capacity to utilize a regulated Ca(2+)-dependent vesicular pathway to release neurotransmitter, and that this mechanism may be shared among many mammalian species.