Electroretinographical and histological study of mouse retina after optic nerve section: a comparison between wild-type and retinal degeneration 1 mice
Background Retinal ganglion cell death underlies the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders such as glaucoma or optic nerve trauma. To assess the potential influence of photoreceptor degeneration on retinal ganglion cell survival, and to evaluate functionality, we took advantage of the optic...
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Published in | Clinical & experimental ophthalmology Vol. 41; no. 6; pp. 593 - 602 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Australia
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01.08.2013
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Background
Retinal ganglion cell death underlies the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders such as glaucoma or optic nerve trauma. To assess the potential influence of photoreceptor degeneration on retinal ganglion cell survival, and to evaluate functionality, we took advantage of the optic nerve section mouse model.
Methods
Surviving retinal ganglion cells were double‐stained by exposing both superior colliculi to fluorogold, and by applying dextran‐tetramethylrhodamine to the injured optic nerve stump. To assess retinal function in wild‐type animals, electroretinograms were recorded on the injured eyes and compared with the contralateral. Similar labelling experiments were carried out on retinal degeneration 1 mice. Surviving retinal ganglion cells were counted 21 days after axotomy and compared with wild‐type mice. No functional experiments were performed on retinal degeneration 1 animals because they do not develop normal electroretinographical responses.
Results
A significant decrease in retinal ganglion cell density was observed 6 days after axotomy in the wild type. Functional studies revealed that, in scotopic conditions, axotomy induced a significant amplitude decrease in the positive scotopic threshold response component of the electroretinogram. Such decrease paralleled cell loss, suggesting it may be an appropriate technique to evaluate functionality. When comparing retinal ganglion cell densities in wild‐type and retinal degeneration 1 mice, a significant greater survival was observed on the latter.
Conclusions
After optic nerve section, electroretinographical recordings exhibited a progressive decrease in the amplitude of the positive scotopic threshold response wave, reflecting ganglion cell loss. Interestingly, rod degeneration seemed, at least initially, to protect from axotomy‐driven damage. |
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Bibliography: | Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia - No. SAF2007-66175; No. SAF2010-21879 Instituto de Salud Carlos III - No. RD07/0062/0008 ArticleID:CEO12046 istex:5919B9BBC83779AE20B88F17205A0C415F7A239B ark:/67375/WNG-M69GZCS4-Z ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-2 ObjectType-Feature-1 |
ISSN: | 1442-6404 1442-9071 |
DOI: | 10.1111/ceo.12046 |