人胎视网膜含NOS神经元的发育

本文用一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ）的组织化学方法对胎龄１５周至３６周的人胎视网膜含ＮＯＳ神经元的发育进行了研究。胚胎１５周视网膜颞侧半少部分神经元即有ＮＯＳ的表达,２０周视网膜含ＮＯＳ神经元数密度达峰值。大部分含ＮＯＳ神经元胞体位于内核层内带,只少部分位于节细胞层,其突起均分布于内同层,形成内同层的１、３、５亚层。含ＮＯＳ神经元的形态各异,依据其突起的多少分Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ等三种类型,其中Ⅱ、Ⅲ型含ＮＯＳ神经元在２８周以后才开始出现,且愈近晚期胎龄,它们所占含ＮＯＳ神经元的数量比呈上升趋势。随视网膜发育成熟,含ＮＯＳ神经元胞体均面积呈不断增大的变化。本文结果显示：人胎视网膜内核层含ＮＯＳ神经元为无长突细胞,节细胞层的Ⅰ型含ＮＯＳ神经元为移位无长突细胞,推测它们在视网膜的发育过程中对内网层突触的形成与修饰可能起有重要作用。     

人胎视皮质皮质下层NPY－IR神经元的发育

本文用免疫组化方法研究了１６周至足月人胎视皮质皮质下层ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ神经元的发育。各胎龄视皮质ＳＰ层内均有ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ神经元分布。从１６周至２６周,ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ神经元密度逐渐增高并于２６周达高峰;３２周以后阳性神经元密度随胎龄增长而下降。人胎视皮质ＳＰ层ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ神经元形态也随胎龄而变化;２０周以前,ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ神经元大多是胞体较小,突起短而少的未分化神经元、ＳＰ层内ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ纤维少。２０周以后,ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ神经元胞体增大,突起增多、变长;多极和双极、双簇神经元随胎龄增长而增多;ＳＰ层内的ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ纤维大量增加,部分纤维穿入皮质板。３２周以后,多极ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ神经元逐渐减少,双极双簇神经元所占比例相对增高。ＮＰＹ免疫组化结合ＮＡＤＰＨ－ｄ组化显示人胎视皮质ＳＰ层大多数ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ神经元同时呈ＮＯＳ阳性。本研究观察到人胎视皮质ＳＰ层内ＮＰＹ－ＩＲ神经元发育可分为发生、成熟和退化三个阶段。     

人胎视网膜SOD免疫阳性细胞的发育与细胞凋亡

选择不同胎龄的人胎18例,用免疫细胞化学ABC法和TUNEL法观察人胎视网膜超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）免疫阳性细胞的发育和细胞凋亡。结果显示;（1）E15w节细胞层开始出现SOD免疫阳性细胞,E20w和E28wSOD免疫阳性细胞排列较整齐,分布于视网膜的外核层,内核层,节细胞层;E40wSOD免疫阳性细胞主要集中于视网膜的外核层,内核层,节细胞层,其数量增多,特别是内核层SOD免疫阳性细胞增多明显。（2）TUNEL法标记的视网膜凋亡细胞胞核具有指环状典型的凋亡特征,E12w人胎视网膜未见凋亡细胞,E15w,E17w凋亡细胞较多,大小不一,分布于视网膜的全层;E20w凋亡细胞主要集中在内核层,数量减少,E28w凋亡细胞仅见于内核层,胞核呈指环样外观,着色较深,但数量较E20w进一步减少;E40w视网膜全层未见凋亡细胞。结果提示,E28w视网膜SOD抗氧化酶系,光感受的基本结构初步发育成熟,其抗氧化保护作用可能主要来源于内核层的SOD免疫阳性细胞。     

黑斑蛙视网膜3种神经内分泌细胞的免疫组织化学定位

目的研究神经肽Y(NPY)、五羟色胺(5-HT)和胰高血糖素(GLU)免疫阳性细胞在黑斑蛙(Rananigromaculata)视网膜上的组织学定位。方法应用过氧化物酶标记的链霉亲和素(SP法)免疫组织化学技术,并结合生物统计学分析。结果NPY细胞主要分布于内核层和节细胞层。内核层中出现两种阳性细胞,一种出现在第2、3亚层,常为多个细胞聚集;另一种出现在内侧,有突起伸入内网层。节细胞层阳性细胞分布较少,胞体有大小之分。5-HT细胞主要分布于内核层和节细胞层,位于内核层中邻近内网层一侧的阳性细胞有突起延伸入内网层。GLU细胞分布于外核层、内核层内侧以及节细胞层。结果 黑斑蛙视网膜上NPY、5-HT和GLU细胞的分布与其它物种有相似之处,也有其自身特点,符合其晨昏性生活习性。     

大鼠视网膜缺血后一氧化氮合酶阳性神经元的变化

本文用前房加压灌注视网膜缺血模型、β－ＮＡＤＰＨ脱氢酶组化方法研究了ＳＤ大鼠视网膜内含一氧化氮合酶（ＮＯＳ）神经元的分布及其变化。实验动物依缺血时间分四组,分别为缺血１０ｍｉｎ、１５ｍｉｎ、３０ｍｉｎ及６０ｍｉｎ组。将ＮＯＳ阳性细胞进行计数统计,做自身配对ｔ检验及方差分析。实验结果表明正常及缺血视网膜ＮＯＳ阳性神经元。大多数位于内核层,少数位于节细胞层;ＮＯＳ阳性细胞在视网膜中央区密度高于周边区,而各象限的平均密度分布无明显差别。缺血１５ｍｉｎ后内核层的ＮＯＳ阳性细胞开始减少,随缺血时间的延长细胞减少更为明显。各组均以视网膜中央区变化较为显著,提示视网膜缺血１５ｍｉｎ后即可出现神经生物学变化,视网膜中央区对缺血比周围区更为敏感。     

北京鸭视网膜节细胞的大小、密度和分布

采用Nissl染色法、视神经溃变法和神经元逆行追踪标记辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)法,研究了北京鸭视网膜节细胞(RGCs)的大小和密度及其分布的变化。北京鸭RGCs形态多样,有圆形、椭圆形和多角形等,RGCs总数为1.3×106个(P0),RGCs平均密度为5370个/mm2(P0),在视网膜中央有一个偏向鼻侧的高密度区即中央高密度区(8860个/mm2),由中央区至周边部,细胞密度逐渐降低,颞侧周边部最低(3440个/mm2)。不同区域RGCs大小差异显著,中央区以小细胞为主(62.2±23.3μm2,P0),而周边部RGCs逐渐增大,颞侧周边部最大(P0:133.7±75.7μm2;P8:152.9±55.9μm2)。由此可见,伴随RGCs大小由中央区至周边部的递增而细胞密度呈现递减的变化,这种变化趋势在颞侧周边部最明显。与此同时,随日龄增长,RGCs总数和密度均递减而细胞大小递增。dACs是位于视网膜节细胞层的小神经元,细胞大小为23.7±4.0μm2     

中国大鲵视网膜的光镜和扫描电镜研究

用光镜和扫描电镜观察了大鲵视网膜各类细胞的形态及分布, 对视细胞和节细胞进行计数。视网腊中三个核层及两个网状层分布均匀,无中央凹。每张视网膜的视细胞总数约130000,节细胞约8000,视杆与视锥之比为8.5：1。扫描电镜下,视杆外节表面的小叶间沟清晰;视杆视锥外节均有从内节伸出的20-30条萼状突起;核周体表面亦有20-30条细胞质突起。文中还报道了幼体视细胞的形态及密度。讨论了上述结构的机能。     

猫视网膜多巴胺能无长突细胞发育的中央—周边梯度

本文报道用酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)免疫细胞化学方法标记猫视网膜多巴胺(DA)能无长突细胞发育的中央—周边梯度。TH阳性反应的I型DA能无长突细胞在发育成熟过程中呈现时空顺序的中央—周边梯度:(1)P_1时期分化较高的细胞,即染色深,胞体大,具有2—4支树突,分枝分布于内网状层(IPL),最外缘的星状Ⅰ_1类细胞大都集中于视网膜的中央部位;而分化较低的细胞,即染色淡,胞体小,具有1—2支树突,分枝分布于IPL外层和中层的不规则形Ⅰ_3类细胞大都集中于视网膜的周边部位;介于两者之间的Ⅰ_2类细胞散在分布于整个视网膜。它们形成了空间分布上的中央—周边分化成熟梯度。(2)随着发育进程,Ⅰ_1类细胞数增多,分布区逐渐从中央向四周扩展,由占视网膜总面积的30%(P_1时)增至65%(P_6时),P_(13)时达97%。开眼后P_(13)时,由于Ⅰ_1类细胞分布已扩展至周边,中央区和周边区间细胞平均直径和树突发育成熟程度的差别逐渐缩小,Ⅰ型DA能无长突细胞发育成熟的中央—周边梯度明显减弱。至P_(23)时,周边区细胞对TH抗体免疫反应强度以及形态学上成熟程度均相似中央区者,上述中央—周边梯度特征则完全消失。I型DA能无长突细胞发育成熟过程中呈现时空顺序的中央—周边梯度特征是视网膜个体发育过程中的暂时现象,它与视网膜中一些神经发生过程存在平行关系。它在视网膜神经发生中的作用,文中进行了讨论。     

不同胚龄北京鸭视网膜节细胞层细胞大小、数量及密度

采用视网膜铺片Nissl染色法和Scion Image图像分析法,研究北京鸭胚胎期11（E11）、14、117、20、23和26日龄视网膜节细胞层（Ganglion cell layer,GCL）细胞大小、数量及密度分布变化。结果表明：E11-E14,GCL细胞小,均呈圆形,E17开始出现大细胞;E11至E26视网膜中央区（CA）细胞大小增长1．97倍,而颞侧周边区（TP）增长3．1倍,相邻胚龄间细胞大小差异显著。GCL细胞总数在E17达到最大值2．03×10^6个,随后细胞数量显著下降。视网膜中央-周边密度梯度在E11出现。CA细胞密度在E17达到最大值2．54×10^4个/mm^2,随后密度下降;周边区细胞密度随胚龄增长而持续下降,且TP细胞密度下降最显著。结果提示,北京鸭胚胎发育过程中,GCL细胞大小、数量及密度均发生显著变化,而E17是其中的一个重要转折点[动物学报54（6）：1082—1088,2008]。     

猫视网膜年龄相关的形态学变化

取老年猫(12龄,3～3．5kg)和青年猫(1～3龄,2～2．5kg)各4只的视网膜,经4％多聚甲醛处理后,用H．E．染色以显示视网膜结构,Nissl染色显示神经节细胞,免疫组织化学ABC法染色以显示星形胶质细胞特征性标志物胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的阳性反应细胞的分布。显微镜下观察测量视网膜厚度,计数神经节细胞、GFAP免疫反应阳性细胞数。与青年猫比较,老年猫视网膜总厚度以及外核层、外网状层、内核层和内网状层厚度均显著减小;神经节细胞层的细胞密度显著下降;GFAP免疫反应阳性细胞显著增加,GFAP阳性细胞阳性反应强,胞体明显膨胀,突起稠密粗大。推测在衰老过程中视网膜细胞有神经元丢失现象,可能是造成视觉功能衰退的重要原因之一;视网膜星形胶质细胞的功能增强可能会延缓衰老。     

SOMATOSTATIN-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVE CELLS IN THE GROUND SQUIRREL RETINA

Immunocytochemical techniques were employed to locate somatostatin (SS)-containing cells in the retina of the 13-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus). In normal retinas immunostain was limited to neuronal processes, yet distinctly labeled somata were detected in retinas of animals pretreated with colchicine. Labeled cell bodies were located in the outermost and innermost portions of the inner nuclear layer (INL) and in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). The largest population of SS-like immunoreactive neurons was found in the innermost INL. These cells were identified as small and medium sized amacrine cells whose soma diameters ranged from 4 to 14μm. A smaller population of immunoreactive cells was observed in the outermost region of the INL. These cells, presumptive horizontal cells, were found mainly in peripheral regions of the retina. Immunoreactive cells in the GCL were of two types: displaced amacrines, and retinal ganglion cells. SS-positive axons in the optic fiber layer suggest that some of the immunoreactive GCL neurons were ganglion cells, and it is our opinion that these cells belong to a class of associational ganglion cells previously identified in other species.     

Morphological analysis of CD15-immunoreactive neurons in the guinea pig retina

Using immunocytochemistry, morphometry and electron microscopy, we have investigated the distribution and characteristics of CD15-immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the guinea pig retina. In the present study, two types of amacrine cells, including interplexiform cells in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and some cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), were labeled with anti-CD15 antisera. Type 1 amacrine cells had large somata located in the INL, with long and branched processes ramifying mainly in strata 4 and 5 of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Somata of type 2 cells had smaller diameters, and were also located in the INL. Their processes stratified in stratum 1. The densities of type I and type 2 amacrine cells increased from 152.8+/-36.7/mm2 and 160.6+/-61.7/mm2 in the peripheral retina, to 404.3+/-41.5/mm2 and 552.2+/-72.2/mm2 in the central retina, respectively. Cells in the GCL exhibiting CD15 immunoreactivity were rarely observed. Colocalization experiments, using consecutive semi-thin sections, demonstrated that these CD15-IR amacrine cells exhibited gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunoreactivity. In addition, the processes of the type 1 cells formed one member of the postsynaptic dyads that are formed in the axon terminals of rod bipolar cells. Most of these processes made reciprocal synapses back to the axon terminals of the rod bipolar cells. Thus, CD15-IR amacrine cells constitute a subpopulation of GABAergic amacrine cells in the guinea pig retina, and the type 1 cells among them provide the inhibitory input to rod bipolar cells.     

Localization of CD15 immunoreactivity in the rat retina

Using immunocytochemistry, we have investigated the localization of CD15 in the rat retina. In the present study, two types of amacrine cell in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and some cells in the ganglion cell layer were labeled with anti-CD15 antisera. Type 1 amacrine cells have large somata located in the INL, with long and branched processes ramifying mainly in stratum 3 of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Type 2 cells have a smaller soma and processes branching in stratum 1 of the IPL. A third population showing CD15 immunoreactivity was a class of displaced amacrine cells in the ganglion cell layer. The densities of type 1 and type 2 amacrine cells were 166/mm(2) and 190/mm(2) in the central retina, respectively. The density of displaced amacrine cells was 195/mm(2). Colocalization experiments demonstrated that these CD15-immunoreactive cells exhibit gamma-aminobutyric acid and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunoreactivities. Thus, the same cells of the rat retina are labeled by anti-CD15 and anti-nNOS antisera and these cells constitute a subpopulation of GABAergic amacrine cells.     

Light-and electron-microscopic studies of the somatostatin-immunoreactive plexus in the cat retina

Summary Two monoclonal antibodies directed against somatostatin 14 were used to study immunoreactive neurons, their processes and their synapses in the cat retina. In retinal whole-mounts, a sparse population of wide-field displaced amacrine cells was observed predominantly in the ventral retina and near the retinal margin. Processes of these cells ramified mainly in two distinct strata within the inner plexiform layer: one near the inner nuclear layer (INL), and the other near the ganglion cell layer (GCL). The length of immunoreactive fibres within each plexus was measured: 232±32 mm/mm² near the INL and 230±74 mm/mm² near the GCL in all retinal regions. The immunoreactive processes were studied using electron-microscopic techniques; conventional and some ribbon-containing synapses (dyads) were found. Immunolabelled processes received input synapses from other amacrine cell processes. These investigations provide further evidence that this cell population has a diffuse, regulatory or modulatory role for visual-information processing in the inner plexiform layer.     

An electron microscopic study of neuronal degeneration and glial cell reaction in the retina of glaucomatous rats

The present investigation was focused on the ultrastructural changes in the neurons and glial cells in the retina of rats with experimentally-induced glaucoma. An experimental glaucoma model was created by limbal-derived vein cauterization. Animals were sacrificed at 1, 3 weeks and 3 months post-operation. Retinae were dissected and processed for electron microscopy. Neuronal degeneration was observed in all the different layers of the retina at both 1 and 3 weeks post-operation. Some degenerating neurons were found in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner nuclear layer (INL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL). And the dying neurons presented apoptotic-like more than necrotic neurons. Many degenerating axons and axon terminals were observed between neurons in the GCL, inner plexiform layer (IPL), INL, and outer plexiform layer (OPL). Activated astrocytes and microglial cells were present in close association with degenerating neurons and axons. The Müller cells in the INL also presented longer and darker processes with more microfilaments than in normal cells. Degenerating neuronal debris, degenerating axonal profiles and electron-dense bodies were often found in the cytoplasm of macrophages. The results suggest that both microglial cells and astrocytes are activated in the process of neuronal degeneration in the retina of experimentally-induced glaucomatous rats. It is hypothesized that they may play a protective role in removing degenerating neuronal elements in the retina after the onset of glaucoma.     

Paracrine neuroprotective effect of nitric oxide in the developing retina

The retina of newborn rats consists of the ganglion cell layer (GCL), the inner plexiform layer (IPL), the inner nuclear layer (INL) containing amacrine cells and the neuroblastic layer (NBL). In retinal explants, the GCL enters cell death after sectioning of the optic nerve, whereas there is almost no cell death in the NBL. When protein synthesis is inhibited with anisomycin, cell death is blocked in the GCL and induced in the NBL. We tested the roles of nitric oxide (NO) on cell death in the retina in vitro. Either L-arginine, the substrate for NO synthase or the NO donor S:-nitroso-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) blocked cell death induced by anisomycin in the NBL, but had no effect in the GCL. Sepiapterin, a precursor of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin also had a protective effect against anisomycin. The use of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of soluble form of guanylyl cyclase, showed that anti-apoptotic effect of SNAP is partially mediated by cGMP generated by activation of guanylyl cyclase. NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry stained cells only in the GCL and INL. Thus, the degenerative effect of anisomycin is observed within the NBL, whereas the localization of NOS is restricted to the GCL and INL. The protective effect of both the NO substrate and cofactor upon cell death induced by anisomycin in the NBL, indicates that NO produced by amacrine and ganglion cells is a paracrine modulator of cell death within the retinal tissue.     

Cellular distribution ofl-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) andγ-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor mRNAs in the retina

1. Gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA), a major inhibitory transmitter of the vertebrate retina, is synthesized from glutamate by L-glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and mediates neuronal inhibition at GABAA receptors. GAD consists of two distinct molecular forms, GAD65 and GAD67, which have similar distribution patterns in the nervous system (Feldblum et al., 1990; Erlander and Tobin, 1991). GABAA receptors are composed of several distinct polypeptide subunits, of which the GABAA alpha 1 variant has a particularly extensive and widespread distribution in the nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine the cellular localization patterns of GAD and GABAA alpha 1 receptor mRNAs to define GABA- and GABAA receptor-synthesizing neurons in the rat retina. 2. GAD and GABAA alpha 1 mRNAs were localized in retinal neurons by in situ hybridization histochemistry with 35S-labeled antisense RNA probes complementary to GAD67 and GABAA alpha 1 mRNAs. 3. The majority of neurons expressing GAD67 mRNA is located in the proximal inner nuclear layer (INL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL). Occasional GAD67 mRNA-containing neurons are present in the inner plexiform layer. Labeled neurons are not found in the distal INL or in the outer nuclear layer (ONL). 4. GABAA alpha 1 mRNA is expressed by neurons distributed to all regions of the INL. Some discretely labeled cells are present in the GCL. Labeled cells are not observed in the ONL. 5. The distribution of GAD67 mRNA demonstrates that numerous amacrine cells (conventional, interstitial, and displaced) and perhaps interplexiform cells synthesize GABA. These cells are likely to employ GABA as a neurotransmitter. 6. The distribution of GABAA alpha 1 mRNA indicates that bipolar, amacrine, and perhaps ganglion cells express GABAA receptors having an alpha 1 polypeptide subunit, suggesting that GABA acts directly upon these cells.