PURPOSE:To examine the role of apoptosis in photoreceptor cells degeneration process in Pathologic myopia.
METHODS: Nine human eyes with pathologic myopia were studied by
histopathologic and TDT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) techniques.
RESULT:The characteristic DNA fragmentation of apoptosis was observed in scattered photoreceptor cells in 4 of 9 eyes.
CONCLUSION:The results suggested that apoptosis is one of the pathways of photoreceptor cells death in retinal degeneration of pathologic myopia.
（Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 144-146 ）
Aminoadipic acid(AAA) is known to damage retinal glia cells primarily when it is given to animals intravitreally. The present study is to demonstrate marked increase of retinal susceptibility to photic damage following administration of sub-thres-hold doses of this agent to albino rats. Right eyes were intravitreally injected with 10 ?l of 10 mM AAA, a dose which caused transient swelling of Muller cell nucleiimmediately after treatment, and total recovery by 24 hours. These rats were exposed to fluorescent light at 150 f.c. for one hour three days after injection. The left eyes were injected with the same amount of physiologic saline solution and exposed to light with an identical time schedule. The animals were killed at the 24th hour,third and seventh day, following light exposure. Cytologic changes in the retinae of both eyes were compared light microscopically. The light exposed left eyes showed mild disorganization of photoreceptor outer segements. Usually this change disappeared by the seventh day. AAA-injected right eyes showed marked destruction in the photoreceptor cell layer. The change in the photoreceptor cells was progressive and disappearance of outer segments and degeneration of numerous nuclei occurred during the following period.
（Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1992,8:17-19）
Objective:To observe the intervention effect of the tetra methylpyraz ine on the rds mice with retinitis pigmentosa.
Methods:A total of 84 rds mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 42 mice in each group. The mice in the experimental group underwent intraperitoneal cavity injection with hydrochlor i c tetramethylpyrazine (80 mg/kg, twice per day) at the date of birth and till 35 days after birth, whereas the normal saline was injected into the intraperito n eal cavity of rats in the control group. The mice were sacrificed 0, 3, 7, 14, 2 1, 28, 35 days after birth, and the eyeballs were enucleated for the routine pat hologic examination with the light microscope. The apoptosis of photoreceptor ce ll nuclei was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferasemediated dUTP n i ck endlabeling (TUNEL) technigue and the expression of bcl2 in retina was de tect by immunohistochemistry method.
Results:The results of li ght microscopy s howed that the layer number of retinal photoreceptor cell nuclei with tetramethy lpyrazine treatment was increased 14, 21, 28, 35 days after the treatment compar ed with that in the control group（P＜0.01）. The results of electron-micro scope suggested that tetramethylpyrazine might reduce lesions in the photoreceptor cells and the destruction of the disc member, mitochondrion，and outer limiting me mbrane in the photoreceptor outer segment in rds mice. The apoptosis of the phot oreceptor cell nuclei reduced in rds mice 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after the treatment compared with that in the control group （P＜0.01）. The express ion of bcl-2 in the matrix of retinal photoreceptor cell nuclei and its inner and o u ter segments increased significantly in rds mice 3，7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days af ter the treatment （P＜0.05）.
Conclusions:Tetramethylpyra zine might reduce ret inal photoreceptor apoptosis by upregulating the expression of bcl-2 in the m at rix of retinal photoreceptor cell nuclei or its inner and outer segments in rds mice.
Objective
To observe the changes of electrophysio logical results in rabbits with normal and injured photoreceptor due to subretinal implantation of chip.
Methods
Photoreceptor damage was induced by injection with NaIO3 solution in 22 out of 30 rabbits. A chip with the diameter of 3 mm made by the array composed of 90 microelectrodes photodiode and conjoint electrode was implanted into subretinal space or choroid of the right eyes of 22 rabbits with photoreceptor and 4 normal rabbits, and the left eyes were the control. The examinations of local flash-visual evoked potential (F-VEP), local flash-electroretinogram (F-ERG), full-field F-ERG and full-filed F-VEP were measured respectively.Another 4 rabbits underwent biocular extirpation for path ological examination .
Results
In 22 rabbits with photo-receptor damage, the amplitude of the main wave of local ERG was obviously higher in 11 eyes with chips than that in the control ones, and was also higher in 2 eyes with chips of the 4 mormal rabbits than that in the control eyes. No wave was found in an eye with retinal hole on the surface of the chip. The repeataility of main amplitude of local-VEP and full-field F-VEP is not satisfactory; no significant changes were observed between chip-implanted eyes and the control eyes examined by full-filed F-ERG.
Conclusion
The implanted chip may stimulate local retina and induce electrical activities after stimulated by light.
(Chin J Ocul Fundus DIs, 2006, 22: 324-327)
Objective To observe the distribution of human photoreceptor cells at the posterior pole, detect the change of density of the cells affected by eccentricity, and analyze the relationship between the density distribution and the visual sensitivity. Methods Twenty human eye cups with the cornea removed were fixed in 4% polyformaldehyde for 1-4 weeks, and the retinal mounts were observed by differential interference contrast microscope to reveal the retinal cellular configuration and density. The inner segments of photoreceptor cells were first observed from the center to the temporal peripheral part of the retinal mounts. Results The highest density of visual cone cells was at the central fovea (134 000-267 000/mm2, mean 198 090/mm2; CV value:18.2%). The density and individual variation decreased rapidly in the peripheral area. The high density area of rod cells was at the 4 mm of the eccentricity, with the highest value of 72 610-182 350/mm2 and with the high density between 3 and 5 mm. Conclusions The inner segment of photoreceptor cells was monolayer, which may tell the cellular absolute value. The high density of retinal cone cells at the central fovea provide the basis of sensitive central visual acuity, which relates to the individual variation and development. The rod cells have the peak density at the eccentricity with 4 mm, and this area has the greatest sensitivity of dim vision.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of FTY720 on retinal photoreceptor cells and microglial following light-induced degeneration in rat retina.
Methods120 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups including FTY720 group, solvent control group, model group and normal group. The rats of normal group were not intervened. The FTY720 group, solvent control group and model group establish retinal light injury mode. FTY720 was injected into abdominal cavity of the rats in FTY720 group 0.5 hours before light exposure. 50% dimethylsulfoxide was injected into abdominal cavity of the rats in solvent control group. The expressions of microglial cells in rat retinal were quantified using flow cytometry, the expressions of interleukin (IL)-1βwere examined by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay at 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days after light exposure. The apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells were measured by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling at 1 day after light exposure. The morphological change of retinal were viewed by haematoxylin and eosin staining at 7 days after light exposure.
ResultsThe expressions of microgilal and IL-1βbegan to rise at 1 day after light exposure, reached at peak at 3 days and decreased at 7 days. The expressions of IL-1βand microglial in FTY720 group were significantly lower than solvent control group and model group, but higher than normal group (P < 0.05).One day after exposure to light, the apoptosis cell ratio in normal group, model group, solvent control group and FTY720 group were 0, (87.66±2.50)%, (86.00±2.44)%, (49.66±2.80)%. The apoptosis cell in FTY720 group were higher than normal group, lower than solvent control group and model group (P < 0.05). Seven days after exposure to light, the retinal in normal group was structured and the cell was arranged well, the cell in solvent control group and model group was irregular arrangement and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) was thin after light exposure. The thickness of the ONL in FTY720 group was significantly higher than solvent control group and model group, below normal group.
ConclusionFTY720 can prevents retinal photoreceptor cells from apoptosis and inhibits activation of microglial.
PURPOSE:Investigating on histopathologic changes of the photoreceptors in retinitis pigmentosa.
METHODS:Observation of the photoreceptors of retinitis pigmentosa in 11 eyes among 9 cases using light and electron microscope.
RESULTS: The pathologic changes of the photoreceptors were found to be mostly marded at the equatorial area and less at the periphery,posterior pole and macular region of the retina. In relatively early cases,degeneration and shortening of outer segments,reduction or loss of connecting cilia,stubby inner segments and swollen mitochondria Were the predominant findings. In advanced cases,the inner and outer segments and connecting cilia were diminished with reduction of nuclei in number and disarangement,cellular degeneration and disorganization. The outer limiting membrane adhered to RPE or Bruch membrane. The spaces left over by the above pathologic
changes were replaced by the displaced Muuml;ller cells and their hypertrophic processes. Also there were degeneration of the RPE cells,and some of them might migrate into the retina.
CONCLUSION:Obvious invasions of pathologic processes in photoreceptors of the retina did present in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.
（Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12:160-162）
Objective
To study on the ultrastructural characteristic of segments of photoreceptors from neonatal retinas for supporting donor retina choice of retinal transplantation．
Methods
Photoreceptors from neonatal calf and adult calf were analysed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy．
Results
Segments of photoreceptors from neonatal calf appeared the mushroom pattern, in which, distal end of outer segment which was ball-shaped formed the head with mushrooms appearance, and the inner segments along with some of outer segments formed the body with mushrooms appearance． Within the outer segment, plasma membranes of adjacent evaginations form a disk subsequently． The a rray of most disks were vertical to the entire length of segments, but some were parallel and slope to．Owing to the incomplete formation, some rim of disk near distal end of outer segment revealed step-shaped appearance． The distal end of outer segment displays some processes consisted of membranous discs, much vesicular material and mitochondria, much rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and numerous polyso mes．Segments of photoreceptor connected with outer nuclear layer via the external limiting membrane．
Conclusion
The typical morphol ogical structures of outer segments suggest the immature and b gowth ability of photoreceptors of the retina of neonatal calf, and therefore the competence for donor material of retinal transplantation．
(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2001,227-229)
Objective To demonstrate if apoptosis is one of the mechanisms of siderotic retinopathy. Methods Autoclaved iron particles were implanted in the vitreous cavities of 32 eyes of SD rats.Glass chips were implanted in 10 control eyes.The experimental eyes were enucleated at various time intervals from days 1 to 15.Retinal degeneration was examined using the TdT-mediated,dUTP-biotin nickend labeling(TUNEL)method.Electrophoresis on agarose gel was used to detect internucleosomal DNA fragmentation.Results TUNEL-positive nuclei were observed only in the outer nuclear layer beginning on day 2.The nuclei spread throughout the outer nuclear layer by the end of day 3.No TUNEL-positive nuclei were observed in other layers throughout the experimental perios.Analysis of DNA,extracted from the retinas by electrophoresis on agarose gel,revealed a typical ladder pattern of internucleosoma DNA cleavage in the experimental eyes.ConclusionApoptosis of photoreceptors occurs at the early phase of iron-induced retinopathy in the rats.
Cilia are hair-like protuberance on cells of the human body that play a vital role in organs generation and maintenance. Abnormalities of ciliary structure and function affect almost every system of the body, such as the brain, eyes, liver, kidney, bone, reproductive system and so on. Retinal photoreceptor cells are one of sensory neurons which convert light stimuli into neurological responses. This process, called phototransduction, takes place in the outer segments (OS) of rod and cone photoreceptors. OS are specialized sensory cilia, and disruptions in cilia genes, which are causative in a growing number of non-syndromic retinal dystrophies, such as retinitis pigmentosa, Leber’s congenital amaurosis. These syndromes are genetically heterogeneous, involving mutations in a large number of genes. They show considerable clinical and genetic overlap. At present, there are few researches on retinal ciliopathies and clinical treatment strategy. This review shows a comprehensive overview of ciliary dysfunction and visual development related diseases, which contributes to understand the characteristics of these diseases and take early intervention in clinic.
