Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the properties of the immunocytochemical findings of retinal degeneration in a transgenic rabbit with a Pro347Leu rhodopsin mutation.
Methods: :
Retinas from the eyes of transgenic rabbits were examined at 12-weeks-of-age using immunocytochemical analysis. Retinal sections were labeled with antibodies to vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, rod opsin, cone opsin, synaptophysin, calbindin D, and protein kinase C.
Results: :
By 12-weeks-of-age in the transgenic rabbits, there is already substantial loss of rods and activation of Müller cell. At the same time, rod bipolar cell processes grow into the inner plexiform layer and outer nuclear layer.
Conclusions: :
Rod bipolar cell processes lengthen during photoreceptor degeneration in rhodopsin Pro347Leu transgenic rabbits. This may demonstrate inner retinal remodeling associated to photoreceptor degeneration.
Keywords: photoreceptors • retinal degenerations: cell biology • retina: proximal (bipolar, amacrine, and ganglion cells)