scholarly journals THE FINE STRUCTURAL LOCALIZATION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY IN THE RETINA AND OPTIC NERVE OF RABBITS

1971 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. REALE ◽  
L. LUCIANO ◽  
M. SPITZNAS
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Plexiform Layer ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Horizontal Cells ◽  
Histochemical Reaction ◽  
Fiber Layer ◽  
Structural Localization

In the rabbit retina acetylcholinesterase activity is localized in the perinuclear cisterna, in the cisternae of the rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and in the Golgi apparatus of ganglion cells and amacrine cells. The histochemical reaction is positive also in the rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum of some horizontal cells. The highest activity is seen in the internal plexiform layer; because of artifacts caused by the diffusion of the enzyme, a clear demonstration of relation of the positivity to one or the other regular components of this layer, however, is not possible. Myelinated fibers which exhibit acetylcholinesterase activity and are most probably efferent are found in the internal plexiform layer. In the retinal nerve fiber layer and in the optic nerve only a few fibers show a positive reaction.

Expression of GABA in the fetal, postnatal, and adult human retinas: An immunohistochemical study

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Nag ◽  
S. Wadhwa
Keyword(s):  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Nerve Fiber ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Horizontal Cell ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Horizontal Cells ◽  
Fiber Layer ◽  
Nerve Fiber Layer ◽  
Undifferentiated Cells ◽  
Displaced Amacrine Cells

AbstractThe expression of GABA in the human fetal (12–25 weeks of gestation), postnatal (five-month-old), and adult (35-year-old) retinas was investigated by immunohistochemistry. GABA expression was seen as early as 12 weeks in the undifferentiated cells of the inner neuroblast zone; a few optic nerve fiber layer axons were clearly labeled, suggesting that some of the stained cell bodies were prospective ganglion cells, others could be displaced amacrine cells. From 16–17 to 24–25 weeks, intense labeling was found in the amacrine, displaced amacrine, and some ganglion cells. During this time period, horizontal cells (identified by calbindin immunohistochemistry), undergoing migration (periphery) and differentiation (center), expressed GABA prominently. In the postnatal retina, some horizontal cells were moderately labeled, but very weakly in a few cells, in the adult. The Müller cells developed immunoreactivity first weakly at 12 weeks and then moderately from 16–17 weeks onward. The staining was also evident in the postnatal and adult retinas, showing labeled processes of these glial cells. Virtually no axons in the adult optic nerve and nerve fiber layer were stained; the staining was restricted to a few, large ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells. Some amacrines were also labeled. The possibility that GABA might play a role in horizontal cell differentiation and maturation is highlighted. Other evidences suggest that GABA might play a role in metabolism during retinal development.

Taurine and GABA in the rat retina during postnatal development

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norma Lake
Keyword(s):  
Postnatal Development ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Plexiform Layer ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Bipolar Cells ◽  
Horizontal Cells ◽  
Inner Plexiform Layer ◽  
Fiber Layer ◽  
Rat Retina

AbstractThe content of taurine and the immunocytochemical localization of taurine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the rat retina during postnatal development are described. The rat retina is immature at birth; about two-thirds of the cells are undifferentiated neuroblasts, and the taurine content per retina is approximately one-seventh of the adult value. Shortly after weaning the adult morphology and taurine content are attained. Expression of taurine immunoreactivity (taurine-IR) accompanies differentiation; in some cell types (ganglion and horizontal cells) this expression is transient, while in others (photoreceptors, bipolar, and a subpopulation of amacrine cells) it persists into the adult state. At birth, taurine-IR is localized mainly in cells in the position of ganglion cells, especially in their axons within the nerve fiber layer. This reactivity is soon lost from the somata, and disappears from the axons by 10 days of age. At 2 days of age, taurine-IR appeared additionally in somata of amacrine cells flanking the forerunner of the inner plexiform layer, and in growth cone-like processes of photoreceptors. At day 6, taurine-IR was marked in photoreceptor cell inner and outer segments, and in horizontal cells and their lateral processes. Taurine-IR was lost from horizontal cells and most amacrine cells around day 10, and appeared in bipolar cells, where it remained, with that in photoreceptors, into adulthood. Particularly striking was taurine-IR in large synaptic terminal-like processes close to the ganglion cell layer which were first seen around day 16. GABA immunoreactivity was never seen in photoreceptor or bipolar cells, was expressed transiently in horizontal cells at the same time as taurine-IR, but persisted in a subpopulation of amacrine cells and synaptic lamina in the inner plexiform layer and in some fine glial processes in the adult.

Glutamate-, GABA-, and GAD-immunoreactivities co-localize in bipolar cells of tiger salamander retina

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1193-1203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen-Yu Yang ◽  
Stephen Yazulla
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Plexiform Layer ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Bipolar Cells ◽  
Inner Nuclear Layer ◽  
Horizontal Cells ◽  
Inner Plexiform Layer ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Immunocytochemical Method ◽  
Separate Population

AbstractThe presence of inhibitory bipolar cells in salamander retina was investigated by a comparative analysis of the distribution of glutamate- and GABA-immunoreactivities (GLU-IR; GABA-IR) using a postembedding immunocytochemical method. GLU-IR was found in virtually all photoreceptors, bipolar cells and ganglion cells, neuronal elements that transfer information vertically through the retina. GLU-IR also was found in numerous amacrine cells in the mid and proximal inner nuclear layer as well as in the cytoplasm of horizontal cells, while the nucleus of horizontal cells was either lightly labeled or not labeled at all. GLU-IR was found in the outer plexiform layer and intensely in the inner plexiform layer, in which there was no apparent sublamination. Forty-seven percent of Type IB bipolar cells in the distal inner nuclear layer and 13% of the displaced bipolar cells were GABA-IR. All bipolar cells were also GLU-IR, indicating that GABA-IR bipolar cells were a subset of GLU-IR bipolar cells rather than a separate population. About 12% of the Type IB bipolar cells were moderately GABA-IR and likely comprised a GABAergic subtype. GLU-IR levels in the presumed GABAergic bipolar cells were higher than in other purely GLU-IR bipolar cells suggesting that these GABA-IR bipolar cells are glutamatergic as well. All of the displaced bipolar cells were only lightly GABA-IR, indicating that displaced bipolar cells comprise a more homogeneous class of glutamatergic cell than orthotopic bipolar cells. GAD-IR co-localized with GABA-IR in orthotopic but not displaced bipolar cells, further supporting the idea that some orthotopic bipolar cells are GABAergic. A small proportion of bipolar cells in salamander retina contain relatively high levels of both GABA and glutamate. Co-release of these substances by bipolar cells could contribute to the “push-pull” modulation of ganglion cell responses.

scholarly journals Substance P-immunoreactive neurons in hamster retinas

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
HAI-BIAO LI ◽  
KWOK-FAI SO ◽  
WAH CHEUK
Keyword(s):  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Substance P ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Plexiform Layer ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus ◽  
Inner Plexiform Layer ◽  
Nerve Section ◽  
Displaced Amacrine Cells ◽  
Contralateral Eye

Light-microscopic immunocytochemistry was utilized to localize the different populations of substance P-immunoreactive (SP-IR) neurons in the hamster retina. Based on observation of 2505 SP-IR neurons in transverse sections, 34% were amacrine cells whose pear-shaped or round cell bodies (7–8 μm) were situated in the inner half of the inner nuclear layer (INL) or in the inner plexiform layer (IPL), while 66% of SP-IR somata (6–20 μm) were located in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) which were interpreted to be displaced amacrine cells and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). At least three types of SP-IR amacrine cells were identified. The SP-IR processes were distributed in strata 1, 3, and 5 with the densest plexus in stratum 5 of the inner plexiform layer. In the wholemounted retina, the SP-IR cells were found to be distributed throughout the entire retina and their mean number was estimated to be 4224 ± 76. Two experiments were performed to clarify whether any of the SP-IR neurons in the GCL were RGCs. The first experiment demonstrated the presence of SP-IR RGCs by retrogradely labeling the RGCs and subsequently staining the SP-IR cells in the retina using immunocytochemistry. The second experiment identified SP-IR central projections of RGCs to the contralateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. This projection disappeared following removal of the contralateral eye. The number of SP-IR RGCs was estimated following optic nerve section. At 2 months after sectioning the optic nerve, the total number of SP-IR neurons in the GCL reduced from 4224 ± 76 to a mean of 1192 ± 139. Assuming that all SP-IR neurons in the GCL which disappeared after nerve section were RGCs, the number of SP-IR RGCs was estimated to be 3032, representing 3–4% of the total RGCs. In summary, findings of the present study provide evidence for the existence of SP-IR RGCs in the hamster retina.

Expression of glycine and the glycine transporter Glyt-1 in the developing rat retina

2000 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID V. POW ◽  
ANITA E. HENDRICKSON
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Outer Part ◽  
Plexiform Layer ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Bipolar Cells ◽  
Horizontal Cells ◽  
Inner Plexiform Layer ◽  
Rat Retina ◽  
Glycine Transporter ◽  
Developing Rat

Previous studies show that glycine transporter-1 (glyt-1) is a consistent membrane marker of adult retinal neurons that are likely to release glycine at their synaptic terminals (Pow, 1998; Vaney et al., 1998; Pow & Hendrickson, 1999). The current study investigated when glyt-1 immunoreactivity appeared in the postnatal rat retina, and whether all glycine-containing neurons also labelled for glyt-1. Ganglion cells, horizontal cells, and photoreceptors showed transient labelling. Many cells in the ganglion cell layer are immunoreactive for both glycine and glyt-1 at postnatal day (Pd) 1 but both are minimal by Pd5. Transient immunoreactivity for both glyt-1 and glycine was observed in presumptive horizontal cells between Pd5 and Pd10. At Pd1 many cells in the outer part of the retina which resembled immature photoreceptors were heavily labelled for glycine, but did not express glyt-1; these disappeared at older ages. These findings suggest diverse mechanisms and transient roles for glycine in the developing rat retina. In the adult rat retina, a subpopulation of amacrine cells are prominently immunoreactive for both glycine and glyt-1. These cells labelled for glycine at Pd1, but did not express significant levels of glyt-1 until Pd5. Processes from these amacrine cells did not reach the inner half of the inner plexiform layer until Pd10–14. Bipolar cells became glycine-IR between Pd10 and Pd14, but consistently lacked any glyt-1 immunoreactivity. This temporal pattern of labelling strongly indicates that bipolar cells label for glycine when gap junctions become functional between glycine/glyt-1 immunoreactive amacrine cells and cone bipolar cells.

Neurotransmitter-specific identification and characterization of neurons in the all-cone retina of Anolis carolinensis II: Glutamate and aspartate

1992 ◽  
Vol 9 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 313-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Sherry ◽  
Robert J. Ulshafer
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cell ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Müller Cells ◽  
Plexiform Layer ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Bipolar Cells ◽  
Anolis Carolinensis ◽  
Horizontal Cells ◽  
Inner Plexiform Layer ◽  
Muller Cells

AbstractImmunocytochemical and autoradiographic methods were used to identify neurons in the pure cone retina of the lizard (Anolis carolinensis) that are likely to employ glutamate (GLU) or aspartate (ASP) as a neurotransmitter.GLU immunocytochemistry demonstrated high levels of endogenous GLU in all cone types and numerous bipolar cells. Moderate GLU levels were found in horizontal and ganglion cells. Müller cells and most amacrine cells had very low GLU levels. GLU immunoreactivity (GLU-IR) in the cones was present from the inner segment to the synaptic pedicle. A large spherical cell type with moderate GLU-IR was identified in the proximal inner plexiform layer (IPL). These cells also contain ASP and have been tentatively identified as amacrine cells. Uptake of [3H]-L-GLU labeled all retinal layers. All cone types and Müller cells sequestered [3H]-D-ASP, a substrate specific for the GLU transporter.Anti-ASP labeling was observed in cones, horizontal cells, amacrine cells, and cells in the ganglion cell layer. ASP immunoreactivity (ASP-IR) in the cones was confined to the inner segment. One ASP-containing pyriform amacrine cell subtype ramifying in IPL sublamina b was identified.Analysis of GLU-IR, ASP-IR, and GABA-IR on serial sections indicated that there were two distinct populations of horizontal cells in the Anolis retina: one containing GABA-IR, GLU-IR, and ASP-IR; and another type containing only GLU-IR and ASP-IR. Light GLU-IR was frequently found in GABA-containing amacrine cells but ASP-IR was not.The distinct distributions of GLU and ASP may indicate distinctly different roles for these amino acids. GLU, not ASP, is probably the major neurotransmitter in the cone-biploar-ganglion cell pathway of the Anolis retina. Both GLU and ASP are present in horizontal cells and specific subpopulations of amacrine cells, but it is unclear if GLU or ASP have a neurotransmitter role in these cells.

AMPA-selective glutamate receptor subunits GluR2 and GluR4 in the cat retina: An immunocytochemical study

1999 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1105-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
PU QIN ◽  
ROBERTA G. POURCHO
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Plexiform Layer ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Bipolar Cells ◽  
Horizontal Cells ◽  
Inner Plexiform Layer ◽  
Cat Retina ◽  
Aii Amacrine Cells ◽  
Aii Amacrine

AMPA-selective glutamate receptors play a major role in glutamatergic neurotransmission in the retina and are expressed in a variety of neuronal subpopulations. In the present study, immunocytochemical techniques were used to visualize the distribution of GluR2 and GluR4 subunits in the cat retina. Results were compared with previous localizations of GluR1 and GluR2/3. Staining for GluR2 was limited to a small number of amacrine and ganglion cells whereas GluR4 staining was present in A-type horizontal cells, many amacrine cells including type AII amacrine cells, and the majority of the cells in the ganglion cell layer. Analysis of synaptic relationships in the outer plexiform layer showed the GluR4 subunit to be concentrated at the contacts of cone photoreceptors with A-horizontal cells. In the inner plexiform layer, both GluR2 and GluR4 were postsynaptic to cone bipolar cells at dyad contacts although GluR2 staining was limited to one of the postsynaptic elements whereas GluR4 immunoreactivity was often seen in both postsynaptic elements. Unlike GluR2, GluR4 was also postsynaptic to rod bipolar cells where it could be visualized in processes of AII amacrine cells. The data indicate that GluR3 and GluR4 subunits are colocalized in a number of cell types including A-type horizontal cells, AII amacrine cells, and alpha ganglion cells, but whether they are combined in the same multimeric receptors remains to be determined.

scholarly journals ULTRASTRUCTURAL LOCALIZATION OF CHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY IN THE DEVELOPING RAT RETINA

1974 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 868-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARTHUR W. SPIRA
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Cholinesterase Activity ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Plexiform Layer ◽  
Ultrastructural Localization ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Inner Plexiform Layer ◽  
Cholinesterase Activities ◽  
Developing Rat

Retinae of rats from the 16th day of gestation to 10 weeks postnatal age were treated for the ultrastructural localization of cholinesterases according to the method of Lewis and Shute. The use of selective inhibitors served to differentiate between acetylcholinesterase and nonspecific cholinesterase activities. Nonspecific cholinesterase activity was marked in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of pigmented epithelium but only during the 1st 2 postnatal weeks. Acetylcholinesterase activity was prominent (a) in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear envelope and Golgi apparatus of ganglion cells in fetal and mature retinae; (b) transiently, between processes in the outer plexiform layer and in the perikarya of some horizontal cells; and (c) between processes in the inner plexiform layer coincident with the appearance of synapses, as well as in the mature retina. These localizations are suggestive of an association between cholinesterases and early stages of photoreceptor segment formation and consistent with a function in plexiform layer maturation and synaptic transmission in the inner plexiform layer.

Immunocytochemical localization of GABA, GABAA receptors, and synapse-associated proteins in the developing and adult ferret retina

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1097-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Karne ◽  
D. M. Oakley ◽  
G. K. Wong ◽  
R. O. L. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Vesicle ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Plexiform Layer ◽  
Amacrine Cells ◽  
Inner Plexiform Layer ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Fiber Layer ◽  
Transporter Protein ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Bursting Activity

AbstractGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulates the pattern of correlated spontaneous bursting activity between amacrine cells and ganglion cells of the ferret retina during the first postnatal month. Here, we demonstrate the presence of an anatomical network which may underlie these interactions throughout the period when correlated bursting activity is observed, by immunolabelling the neonatal ferret retina for GABA, GABAA receptors, and synapse-associated proteins. GABA immunoreactivity was detected in cell somata in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), in amacrine cells, and in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) by embryonic day 38. This pattern remained largely unchanged throughout neonatal development and in the adult. By contrast to other mammals, the outer plexiform layer (OPL) was only very weakly labelled for GABA, at all ages studied. Strong, punctate, immunolabelling for the β2/3 subunit of the GABAA receptor was apparent in the IPL by birth, and appeared in the OPL by the second postnatal week. The possibility that synaptic interactions in the IPL occur during bursting activity was examined by immunolabelling for synapse-associated proteins. Strong immunoreactivity for synaptic vesicle proteins, Synapsin I and II, and synaptic vesicle-2 (SV2), a synaptic vesicle transporter protein, was observed in the IPL by birth. Immunoreactivity for SNAP-25, a protein associated with vesicle fusion, was also intense at the level of the IPL and in the nerve fiber layer of the retina at birth. Taken together, these patterns of immunoreactivity suggest the presence of a GABAergic network in the IPL of the ferret retina by birth, coinciding with the appearance of correlated bursting activity in the inner retina.

scholarly journals LOCALIZATION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE IN THE TELEOST RETINA

1972 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHARLES W. NICHOLS ◽  
JAMES HEWITT ◽  
ALAN M. LATIES
Keyword(s):  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Ganglion Cell ◽  
Nerve Fiber ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Fiber Layer ◽  
Nerve Fiber Layer ◽  
Additional Cell ◽  
Teleost Retina

Acetylcholinesterase is the sole cholinesterase enzyme identifiable histochemically in the teleost retina. Acetylcholinesterase is present in both amacrine and ganglion cells in the retinas of all three species of fish studied. No sign of acetylcholinesterase activity was found in ganglion cell axons either in the nerve fiber layer of the retina or in the optic nerve. Evidence is presented for the presence of acetylcholinesterase activity in additional cell types within the nuclear layer. The distribution of acetylcholinesterase-containing cells in teleost retina is compared to that in other species.

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