The damage of the neural retina and of the retinal pigment epithelium of eyes of rats exposed to highly intensive visible light under alloxanic diabetes

The experiments on white mongrel rats showed that the light with the intensity of 6000 1x lasting for 6 hours resulted the destruction of the retinal pigment epithelium, of the internal and the external neurosensory cellular processes with subsequent nuclei piknosis and radial glia replacement. On the 7th day after exposure to light focal effusion of the retina corresponding layers. Under the irradiation in diabetes the amount of cells with karyopyknosis increases in 1.6 times in comparision with the findings in case free of diabetes. Was found, that the alloxanic diabetes in its early stage increases the light impairment of the neurosensory cells of the retina.     

Early patterns of neuronal degeneration in the retina of the goldfish after optic nerve sectioning

The early patterns of retinal degeneration were studied in the goldfish after optic nerve sectioning by l.m. and e.m. Beginning on the 2nd postsurgical day there was an initial degeneration of neurons in the ganglion cell and inner nuclear layers of the central retina. Massive ganglion cell degeneration in the whole retina (60%) as well as degeneration of neurons in inner and outer nuclear layer of the peripheral retina was evident around the 7th postsurgical day. The early degenerating cells appeared to be cones and cone bipolars.     

Distribution of transferrin and transferrin receptor of the eype 1 in the process of formation of the rat eye retina in early postnatal ontogenesis

By the method of indirect immunohistochemistry, distribution of transferrin and of transferrin receptor of the type 1 (TFR1) was studied in the formed rat eye retina at the period of early postnatal ontogenesis (from birth to opening of eyelids). It has been established that the character of distribution of these proteins and intensity of specific staining change dependent on the retina formation stage. Retina of the newborn rat is characterized by diffuse transferrin distribution in nuclear retina layer (in the neuroblast layer-NBL) and in the ganglionic cell layer (GCL) as well as in the eye pigment epithelium (PE); relative immunoreactivity to transferrin is not high. At the 5th postnatal day, immunoreactivity to transferrin is maximal and is revealed both in nuclear and in plexiform layers of retina and in the eye PE, the greatest signal being characteristic of NBL. At the 10th postnatal day the transferrin signal intensity in retina decreases, specific staining is revealed in GCL, PE, and in the area of formed outer segments of photoreceptors. At the 15th postnatal day, transferrin is revealed in GCL, in outer and inner photoreceptor segments and in the eye PE. TFR1 is present in all retina layers at all stages of the retina formation; the relative immunoreactivity to TFR1 sharply rises beginning from the 10th postnatal day; correlation between distribution of transferrin and TFR1 is detected in the entire retina of newborn rats as well as in the external retina area at subsequent stages of its development. A possible role of transferrin at various stages of formation of retina is discussed.     

Photoreceptor degeneration after exposure of rats to incandescent illumination

Summary The retina of the albino rat undergoes degenerative changes when exposed to low intensity incandescent light. The retinal degeneration is limited specifically to the photoreceptor cells, and the pigment epithelium is unaffected. Early changes in the receptors included fragmentation of the inner and outer segments and pyknosis of the receptor cell nuclei. Phagocytic cells invaded and occupied the central retinal area of degeneration, between the receptor layer and the pigment epithelium, in the 4 and 5 day exposure periods. They were absent centrally after 14 and 30 days of exposure, but were present at these time periods in the peripheral retina, where photoreceptor destruction was still in progress. The destruction of photoreceptor cells, including the receptor and outer nuclear layers of the retina, by incandescent light progressed at a slightly reduced rate as compared to that after exposure to fluorescent light of the same intensity. These experiments indicate that exposure to either low intensity incandescent or fluorescent light will cause a selective degeneration of retinal photoreceptor cells, and therefore provide an easily reproducible model for the study of retinal structure and function in the absence of the receptors.This investigation was supported by Grants HD04102 and EY00595 from USPHS, and MH16077, a Research Scientist Award, to KVA, from the National Institute of Mental Health. Publication No. 1032, Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Health Sciences, Emory University.The authors express their appreciation to Mrs. Sally Ware for her research assistance.     

Müller细胞在视网膜绿光损伤模型中的激活反应

目的研究Müller细胞在大鼠视网膜绿光损伤模型中的激活反应。方法 72只出生后8周(约230～280g)的成年雄性Sprague-Dawley大鼠随机分9组。一组作为正常对照,另8组暗适应24 h后置于波长为(530±10)nm的LED灯光箱中照射3 h,并分别于暗恢复3、6、12 h及1、2、3、7、15 d取眼球,光学显微镜下观察同一定位处视网膜组织形态、检测(TUNEL)凋亡细胞、免疫组织化学染色及蛋白免疫印迹分析。结果光损伤后光感受器内外节变短,外核层变薄,细胞排列紊乱;细胞凋亡出现在外核层,暗恢复3 h出现,3 d时达到高峰,7 d时消失;胶质细胞纤维酸性蛋白(glial fibrillary acidic protein,GFAP)表达量于暗恢复12 h开始升高,随暗恢复时间延长逐渐升高;谷氨酰胺合成酶(glutaminesynthetase,GS)总表达量未见明显改变,但可见蛋白一过性重分布,表达部位由内核层移至外核层。pSTAT3蛋白表达量于损伤后12 h出现一过性升高。结论绿光损伤视网膜激活Müller细胞,pSTAT3可能参与了此激活过程。     

Quantitative and morphological studies of retinal development in mice with trisomy 19

To investigate the development of the retinal layers, the eyes of mice with trisomy 19 have been examined by light microscopy between the 2nd and 15th postnatal day. The diameter of the eye, thickness of the entire retina and both relative thickness and nuclear density of each of the retinal layers have been measured and compared to those of chromosomally balanced control animals. Malformations of the eye, alterations of cell morphology or disturbed lamination can not be observed. Retinal differentiation of trisomy 19 mice is delayed by approximately two days. The development of all cellular constituents, i.e., of both neuroectodermal and mesenchymal origin, is retarded accordingly. The eyes of trisomy 19 mice are of reduced size. The relative thickness of each retinal layer follows a normal growth pattern; there is no indication for a selective impairment of the development of one particular layer. With the exception of the ganglion cell layer, nuclear densities of each retinal layer do not differ from those of control mice. The comparison of nuclear densities in the ganglion cell layer suggests that in trisomy 19 mice fewer postmitotic cells differentiate into mature retinal cells.     

Light-induced changes in energy metabolites, guanine nucleotides, and guanylate cyclase within frog retinal layers

Freeze-dried sections were prepared from retinas of frogs which were dark-adapted or exposed to varying periods of light. Samples of the discrete layers were dissected, weighed, and analyzed for energy metabolites, guanylate compounds, and the enzyme guanylate cyclase. ATP and P-creatine were measured in both dark- and light-adapted retinas. There was a gradient in ATP and P-creatine levels in dark-adapted retinas, with the lower concentrations in the photoreceptors, and increasing concentrations in the inner retina. After light adaptation, concentrations increased, an observation which supports the concept that transmitter release occurs in the dark and ceases in the light. The sum of GTP plus GDP, GDP, and cyclic GMP were analyzed in dark-adapted retinas and after exposure to 2 min or 2 h of room light. GDP was rather uniformly distributed in the retinal layers, was increased by 2 min of light in all layers but the outer nuclear, and remained elevated at 2 h in the inner retina. GTP values showed a marked localization in the outer nuclear layer, which increased after 2 min or 2 h of illumination; in all other layers GTP was decreased by light. Cyclic GMP in the dark was highest in the photoreceptor cells, decreasing to one-third after 2 min of light; there were significant increases in the outer plexiform and inner nuclear layers at this time. Cyclic GMP remained low in the photoreceptor cells even after 2 h of light, while the inner layers returned to dark values. Guanylate cyclase, like cyclic GMP, was largely confined to the photoreceptor cells and showed a maximal increase after 2 min of light exposure.     

Morphological changes in the parr masou salmon Oncorhynchus masou retina in experimental change of geomagnetic field

Topography of photoreceptor cells in young salmon Oncorhynchus masou retina, their properties and morphology of cellular organelles in external and internal segments of photoceptors have been first described. Morphological changes of retina cells were analysed in day and night time, and also in the experiment for indemnification of geomagnetic field (GMF) in the body of the aquarium. A comparison of retina structure in fishes of night and day time controls with that in experimental fishes has shown that the external cone segments in the latter occupy, in relation to the external limiting membrane, an intermediate position, characteristic of retinae exposed to twilight lighting. It is supposed that GMF indemnification was equivalent to weak light pulse, which, however, could considerably change melatonin production by retina photoreceptor cells. Thus, at experimental indemnification of GMF, retina sensitive cells demonstrate typical retinomotor response. Some ultrastructural changes in retina cells were also detected, in particular, size changes in ribbon synapses in rod and cone terminations. In addition, nematosomes appeared in the internal nuclear layer, and in the spinules, i.e. digitiform invaginations of terminal dentrites of horizontal cells into cone nervous terminations, the quantity of an electron dense material was noticeably magnified in comparison with a night control. The noted changes testify, in our opinion, to essential modifications in metabolic processes of retina photoreceptors under effect of GMF variations, in particular, to changes in retinal melatonin synthesis.     

Effects of split fast neutron doses on the liver cells of albino Swiss mice

The effect of neutron doses from a D-T compact neutron generator on the liver cells of adult male and female albino Swiss mice was investigated. Fast neutrons (14.5 MeV) were delivered to the whole body in a single dose or in two, four, six or eight equal doses separated by 3-day intervals. The lowest dose, 100 rem, was given for an exposure time of 6 hours and was then steadily raised to 912 rem for an exposure time of 48 hours. During exposure the neutron flux was controlled by the activation foil technique. Animals were killed for testing after each irradiation. Histological examination of the hepatocytes in the light microscope showed marked degenerative changes only after the longer irradiation periods (24, 36 and 48 h). Electron microscopy showed cytological (cytoplasmic and nuclear) changes in the hepatocytes after only 12 hours' irradiation. Densitometric scans of electron micrographs of control and 12 h-irradiated livers indicated that the control hepatocyte interphase nucleus contains approximately 72% heterochromatin, while the irradiated nucleus contains only 64% heterochromatin.     

Karyometric observations of WISH cell cultures irradiated with 3 GHz microwaves.

WISH cell cultures 24 hours after passage were irradiated with 3 GHz microwaves (10 cm) at far field conditions in free space (anechoic chamber) for 30 minutes, at field power density 5 or 20 mW/cm2. Within 1,24 and 48 hours of the exposure to microwave fields the volumes of nuclei and nucleoli were measured with the use of a micrometer, and logvolumes and nucleo-nucleolar ratios were calculated. Under the applied irradiation conditions the culture medium temperature did not exceed 37 degrees C. In cultures irradiated at field power density 20 mW/cm2 increased number of cells with small nuclei and enlarged nucleoli was noted within 1 hour of the exposure. Within 24 and 48 hours after irradiation the nucleolar volume showed a slight decrease, whereas the nuclear volume increased. In cultures irradiated at field power density 5 mW/cm2 increased numbers of cells with enlarged nuclei and nucleoli were found. Analysis of the distribution curves of nuclear and nucleolar volumes suggests that non-thermal power densities of microwaves stimulate the metabolism of cell cultures. However, at higher power densities (20 mW/cm2) the stimulation phase is preceded by a period of reduced viability of cell cultures.     

Dopaminergic amacrine neurons of rat retinas with photoreceptor degeneration continue to respond to light

Exposure of albino rats to continuous light of low intensity (350–700 lux) for 4 months produces massive degeneration of the photoreceptor segments and cell bodies of the outer nuclear layer of the retina. Only a few heterochromatic, receptor cell nuclei remain, and no photoreceptor segments are present. On the other hand, the inner layers of these retinas remain morphologically intact. The inner nuclear layer of the normal rat retina contains a group of amacrine cells which contain the putative neurotransmitter, dopamine (DA). Short term exposure to light (30 or 60 min) markedly stimulates the rate of DA turnover in these cells in normal, previously dark-adapted rats. Such enhancement of the rate of neurotransmitter turnover in the brain has been correlated with an increase in nerve impulse activity. The present study was undertaken to determine if the dopaminergic amacrine cells of the inner nuclear layer were still responsive to light in the retinas of rats whose photoreceptors were previously destroyed by long term exposure to continuous illumination. One week before sacrifice, the animals which had been housed in continuous light for 4 months were returned to normal 14 hr light: 10 hr dark lighting conditions. At the end of this time they and a group of control rats which had been housed in cyclic lighting conditions for the entire 4 months were dark adapted for approximately 15 hr. Then the rate of retinal DA turnover was estimated from the depletion of DA following inhibition of DA synthesis by α methyl para-tyrosine. The turnover of DA in the dark-adapted retinas of the control rats and of experimental rats with photoreceptor degeneration was dramatically enhanced 2–4 fold by short term exposure (up to 1 hr) to light. Since rats are nocturnal and avoid light, we tested the light aversion of another group of rats which had been exposed to light for 4 months and then returned to cyclic lighting conditions for one week. These rats and control animals which had been maintained in cyclic lighting conditions for 4 months both chose the dark side of a light-dark box over 80% of the time. This behavior of the rats with retinal degeneration was taken as a crude indication of their continued ability to detect light. The light-induced increase in DA activity in retinas with photoreceptor degeneration may play a role in the continued ability of these rats to perceive light.     

Melanin protects choroidal blood vessels against light toxicity

Low ocular pigmentation and high long-term exposure to bright light are believed to increase the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). To investigate the role of pigmentation during bright light exposure, cell damage in retinae and choroids of pigmented and non-pigmented rats were compared. Pigmented Long Evans (LE) rats and non-pigmented (albino) Wistar rats were exposed to high intensity visible light from a cold light source with 140,000 lux for 30 min. Control animals of both strains were not irradiated. The animals had their pupils dilated to prevent light absorbance by iris pigmentation. 22 h after irradiation, the rats were sacrificed and their eyes enucleated. Posterior segments, containing retina and choroid, were prepared for light and electron microscopy. Twenty different sections of specified and equal areas were examined in every eye. In albino rats severe retinal damage was observed after light exposure, rod outer segments (ROS) were shortened and the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) was significantly diminished. Choriocapillaris blood vessels were obstructed. In wide areas the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) was absent in albino rats after irradiation. In contrast, LE rats presented much less cell damage in the RPE and retina after bright light exposure, although intra-individual differences were observed. The thickness of the ONL was almost unchanged compared to controls. ROS were shortened in LE rats, but the effect was considerably less than that seen in the albinos. Only minimal changes were found in choroidal blood vessels of pigmented rats. The RPE showed certain toxic damage, but cells were not destroyed as in the non-pigmented animals. The number of melanin granules in the RPE of LE rats was reduced after irradiation. Ocular melanin protects the retina and choroid of pigmented eyes against light-induced cell toxicity. Physical protection of iris melanin, as possible in eyes with non-dilated pupils, does not seem to play a major role in our setup. Biochemical mechanisms, like reducing oxidative intracellular stress, are more likely to be responsible for melanin-related light protection in eyes with dilated lens aperture.     

四指马鲅视网膜早期发育的组织学研究

本文采用石蜡连续切片技术、H.E染色和显微测量法,对四指马鲅(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)早期发育过程中视网膜的结构、分化和形成过程以及视觉特性进行了研究。结果显示,受精后8 h54 min,视杯已经形成。初孵仔鱼视网膜没有分化。2日龄仔鱼可以清晰的辨认出色素上皮层、外核层、内核层和神经节细胞层。3日龄仔鱼内核层已经分化出水平细胞、双极细胞和无长突细胞。4日龄仔鱼视网膜10层结构完整。9日龄至14日龄,外核层胞核数目与神经节细胞数目的比值增大,视网膜会聚程度升高,是该鱼视觉特性发生变化的过渡期,这与其从浮游到浅海中下层和泥沙质海底活动的生态迁移相适应。在生长发育的早期阶段,其视网膜内核层水平细胞仅有1到2层,属于感光系统不甚发达的类型。该鱼在仔鱼浮游生活阶段,视敏度较高,视觉对其行为和摄食活动具有重要作用,适应生活于光照较充足的环境中,转入浅海中下层和泥沙质海底后,光敏度和视敏度均较差,视觉在其行为和摄食活动中不具有主要作用。     

Effect of low doses of external and internal ionizing radiation on proteinases of cells in the rat cerebral cortex of rats]

Single external gamma-irradiation in a dose of 0.5-2 Gy as well as the long-term (30 days) internal irradiation caused by the everyday influx of Cs-137 and Sr-85 isotopes to the organism have been studied for their effect on the activity and properties of histone-specific proteinase from the nuclei of the rat brain cortex cells. It is found out that external irradiation induces a dose-dependent increase of the activity during the first 24 hours after irradiation followed by its decrease 7-30 days later. Internal irradiation induces a decrease of the enzyme activity at the 30th day as well. Certain specificity of the studied indices depending on the type of irradiation has been also observed.     

Ontogenic attendance of neuropeptides in the embryo chicken retina

We have examined the ontogeny of somatostatin-, Glucagon-, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide-, Substance P-, Neuropeptide Y, and Calcitonin gene-related peptide-Iike structures in the chicken retina by immunocytochemistry. Neuroblastic cells containing Substance P-Iike immunoreactivity (IR) first appeared at embryonic day 5 in the peripheral portion of the retina. Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity was detected as early as embryonic day 11 in the innermost level of the inner neuroblastic layer. The distribution pattern of amacrine cells containing Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-Iike immunoreactivity was similar to that for Neuropeptide Y- and Calcitonin gene-related peptide-Iike immunoreactive cells. These three types of IR cell appeared at embryonic day 13. Glucagon-like immunoreactive cells first appeared in the retina at embryonic day 15, in the innermost part of the inner nuclear layer. From the 13th to 15th day of incubation, the number and intensity of Calcitonin gene-related peptide-, Somatostatin-, Neuropeptide Y- and Substance P-Iike immunoreactive cells increased and then decreased progressively before hatching. Glucagon immunoreactive cells increased in number on the last day before hatching. After embryonic day 15, the amacrine cells containing Vasoactive intestinal peptide-Iike immunoreactivity decreased notably in number. Our study showed that development of these immunoreactive structures was different for each neuropeptide. These differences in development may reflect the diverse neurophysiological roles of these neuroactive peptides, which could act as neurotransmitters/neuromodulators at the chick retinal level. Their presence may indicate roles as neuronal differentiation or growth factors.     

Distribution of Proteins Providing Homeostasis of Iron Ions in Bovine Retina

Distribution of proteins providing homeostasis of iron ions in bovine retina was studied by methods of indirect immunohistochemistry, which allowed detection of localization of transferrin, ferritin, and transferrin receptor. In bovine retina, transferrin is revealed in the region of outer and inner segments of photoreceptors and in the external plexiform layer. Distributions of ferritin and transferrin receptor are identical; they are revealed in all layers of retina, the maximal immunoreactivity against these proteins is found in pigment epithelium, in the region of inner segments of photoreceptors, in the external plexiform and internal nuclear layers. The obtained results are discussed from the point of view of mechanisms providing with iron the cells of the outer and inner retina.     

Human retinal development: ultrastructure of the inner retinal layers

Studies of the developing human retina from 6.5 to 18 weeks' gestational age (16–156 mm) by light and electron microscopy are concerned with the morphogenesis of neuroblast cells, plexiform layers, and inner limiting membrane. The transient layer of Chievitz is formed posteriorly by 20 mm (7 weeks), inner plexiform by 48 mm (9 weeks), outer plexiform layer by 83 mm (12 weeks), identifiable cones by 83 mm, and rods by 120 mm (15 weeks). Mitotic activity continues posteriorly until 120 mm and was seen in inner layers of the retina until 103 mm (13 weeks). Outer neuroblastic differentiation is marked by diversification from a uniform cell population to one containing at least three cell types differing in their nuclear shape, chromatin pattern, and cytoplasmic characteristics. Differentiating ganglion cells accumulate polysomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, microtubules, and dense bodies. Müller cell bodies in ganglion and inner nuclear layers extend processes between ganglion cells, and radial fibers, containing extensive smooth endoplasmic reticulum, to the vitreal surface. Synapses appear in the inner and outer plexiform layers by 83 mm (12 weeks), and by 120 mm (15 weeks) demonstrate a variety of conventional and ribbon forms similar to those found in the adult. Synaptogenesis therefore begins considerably before the development of photoreceptor outer segments.     

Effect of genetically defined oocyte depletion on production of androgens and oestrogens by ovaries of suckling mice

Steroid production and histological features of ovaries were compared either among normal +/+ mice of 3-12 days of age or among 12-day old mutant mice with various degrees of oocyte depletion. Whole ovaries were cultured in the medium containing [3H]progesterone and hCG or 4-androstene-3,17-dione and FSH; amounts of [3H]androgens or oestrogens released from the ovaries were assayed. FSH-responsive aromatase activity was detectable in ovaries of +/+ mice on day 3 after birth (2.6 +/- 0.4 pmol/2 ovaries/48 h), but the activity producing androgens from progesterone, under stimulation of hCG, was not detectable even on day 6 after birth (less than 0.1 pmol/2 ovaries/48 h). The androgen-producing activity appeared on day 9 after birth (1.16 +/- 0.25 pmol/2 ovaries/48 h), when follicles with more than two layers of granulosa cells developed. The ovaries of 12-day old Sl/Slt mice contained a considerable number of follicles with a single layer of granulosa cells, but did not contain any follicles with more than two layers of granulosa cells. The ovaries of Sl/Slt mice possessed aromatase activity (3.3 +/- 0.4 pmol/2 ovaries/48 h) but, not androgen-producing activity (less than 0.1 pmol/2 ovaries/48 h). The present results suggest that development of follicles with more than two layers of granulosa cells may induce the activity producing androgens from progesterone under stimulation of LH in suckling mouse ovaries, though the FSH-responsive aromatase activity is present even in follicles with a single layer of granulosa cells.     

Rhythms of glycerophospholipid synthesis in retinal inner nuclear layer cells

The present study demonstrates that the biosynthesis of phospholipids in the inner nuclear layer cells of the chicken retina displays daily rhythms under constant illumination conditions. The vertebrate retina contains circadian oscillators and photoreceptors (PRCs) that temporally regulate its own physiology and synchronize the whole organism to the daily environmental changes. We have previously reported that chicken photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) present significant daily variations in their phospholipid biosynthesis under constant illumination conditions. Herein, we demonstrate that cell preparations highly enriched in inner nuclear layer cells also exhibit a circadian-regulated phospholipid labeling after the in vivo administration of [(32)P]phosphate or [(3)H]glycerol both in animals maintained under constant darkness or light for at least 48h. In constant darkness, there was a significant incorporation of both precursors into phospholipids with the highest levels of labeling around midday and dusk. In constant light, the labeling of (32)P-phospholipids was also significantly higher during the day and early night whereas the incorporation of [(3)H]glycerol into phospholipids, that indicates de novo biosynthesis, was greater during the day but probably reflecting a higher precursor availability at those phases. We also measured the in vitro activity of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and diacylglycerol lipase in preparations obtained from the dark condition. The two enzymes exhibited the highest activity levels late in the day. When we assessed the in vitro incorporation of [(14)C]oleate into different lysophospholipids from samples collected at different phases in constant darkness, reaction catalyzed by lysophospholipid acyltransferases II, labeling showed a complex pattern of daily activity. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the biosynthesis of phospholipids in cells of the chicken retinal inner nuclear layer exhibits a daily rhythmicity under constant illumination conditions, which is controlled by a circadian clock.     

Fine structure of the retina of black bass, Micropterus salmoides (Centrarchidae, Teleostei).

The structure of light- and dark-adapted retina of the black bass, Micropterus salmoides has been studied by light and electron microscopy. This retina lacks blood vessels at all levels. The optic fiber layer is divided into fascicles by the processes of Müller cells and the ganglion cell layer is represented by a single row of voluminous cells. The inner nuclear layer consists of two layers of horizontal cells and bipolar, amacrine and interplexiform cells. In the outer plexiform layer we observed the synaptic terminals of photoreceptor cells, rod spherules and cone pedicles and terminal processes of bipolar and horizontal cells. The spherules have a single synaptic ribbon and the pedicles possess multiple synaptic ribbons. Morphologically, we have identified three types of photoreceptors: rods, single cones and equal double cones which undergo retinomotor movements in response to changes in light conditions. The cones are arranged in a square mosaic whereas the rods are dispersed between the cones.