May 2008
Volume 49, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2008
Can Amacrine Cells Replace Dying Retinal Ganglion Cells?
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • N. J. Kunzevitzky
    Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida
    Grad Program Molecular Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
  • M. V. Almeida
    Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida
  • Y. Shi
    The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, Florida
  • J. L. Goldberg
    Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida
    Grad Program Molecular Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  N.J. Kunzevitzky, None; M.V. Almeida, None; Y. Shi, None; J.L. Goldberg, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  NEI (EY016790), NINDS (NS061348), The Glaucoma Foundation, NIH center grant (P30 EY014801), and an unrestricted grant to the University of Miami from Research to Prevent Blindness.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2008, Vol.49, 5205. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      N. J. Kunzevitzky, M. V. Almeida, Y. Shi, J. L. Goldberg; Can Amacrine Cells Replace Dying Retinal Ganglion Cells?. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2008;49(13):5205.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose: : Amacrine cells are essential for visual function, modulating synapses between bipolar cells and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). More than 30 types of amacrine cells in the mammalian retina can be classified by morphology, physiology, or expression of specific markers. In the developing retina, amacrine cells are born at the same time as RGCs, and many of them even migrate to the same layer of the retina as RGCs. Little is known about amacrine cell biology, however. For example, what is the molecular basis for their resistance to degeneration? Why do they fail to grow axons like their sibling RGCs?

Methods: : Embryonic and postnatal amacrine cells were purified and cultured in serum-free media with or without trophic factors. We quantified survival at 1, 2 and 3DIV using live/dead assays, and performed Western Blot to study molecular pathways necessary for survival. Three to four biological replicates were independently processed for Genechip analysis using Affymetrix RAE 230 2.0 arrays. We classified the probes by Gene Ontology and compared the gene expression profiles of amacrines and RGCs.

Results: : We found that amacrine cell survival in vitro is independent of cell density and the presence of BDNF and CNTF, but it requires Erk activation via MEK1/2. Analysis of the expression levels of "polarity genes" during development of amacrine cells and RGCs led to the identification of a subset of genes that are differentially expressed in these cell types.

Conclusions: : We have developed a method to purify and culture amacrine cells in vitro. Comparing the gene expression profiles of amacrine cells and RGCs may reveal candidate genes that explain their fundamental differences in survival signaling, migration, and neurite growth and polarization.

Keywords: amacrine cells • ganglion cells • neuroprotection 
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×