CFP expression in Thy1-CFP(+)/c-fos-lacZ double transgenic retinas. (
A) Control (naïve) retina. CFP(+) RGCs are apparent as discrete white dots, with axon bundles converging on the ON (ON). (
B,
C) Retinas 21 days after rAION induction. RGC loss was apparent, with reduced axonal numbers converging on the ON in both retinas. (
B) Post-rAION retina with a quadrant with a relatively normal number of RGCs and axons. (
C) Post-rAION retina with global RGC loss and few axons converging on the ON. (
D) Higher magnification of the central region of retina in (
A). Axonal bundles (axB) concentrated at the ON (ON). (
E) Higher magnification of the central region of retina (
B). Axon bundles were preserved on one side of the ON (
arrowheads), but with reduced density. (
F) Higher magnification of the central region of retina (
C). Generalized loss of CFP(+) axon bundles, with only a few normal-appearing bundles (
arrowheads). (
G) Relative RGC loss by stereologic analysis, in post-rAION retina (□). Relative difference from the (100%) stereologically determined RGC number
(Table 1B)in control double-transgenic animals. (▪) Averaged loss of CFP(+) cells in all animals. rAION resulted in a 53.3% ± 5.6% (SEM) loss of RGCs, compared with control retina. Magnification: (
A–
C) ×20. Scale bar: (
A–
C) 500 μm; (
D–
F) 100 μm.