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This review examines the pivotal role of photoreceptor cells in ocular refraction development, focusing on dopamine (DA) as a key neurotransmitter. Contrary to the earlier view favoring cone cells, recent studies have highlighted the substantial contributions of both rod and cone cells to the visual signaling pathways that influence ocular refractive development. Notably, rod cells appeared to play a central role. Photoreceptor cells interact intricately with circadian rhythms, color vision pathways, and other neurotransmitters, all of which are crucial for the complex mechanisms driving the development of myopia. This review emphasizes that ocular refractive development results from a coordinated interplay between diverse cell types, signaling pathways, and neurotransmitters. This perspective has significant implications for unraveling the complex mechanisms underlying myopia and aiding in the development of more effective prevention and treatment strategies., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Highly expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the RPE-specific 65-kDa (RPE65) enzyme is indispensable to generate 11-cis-retinal (11cRAL), a chromophore for rhodopsin and cone photopigments. RPE65 deficiency can lead to Leber congenital amaurosis type 2 (LCA2), in which the isomerization of photobleached all-trans-retinal into photosensitive 11cRAL is blocked, ultimately causing severe retinal dysfunction and degeneration. The related mouse models, which are constructed through gene knockout or caused by spontaneous mutations, morphologically present with early-onset and rapid retinal cone cells degeneration, including loss of short-wavelength-sensitive cone opsins (S-opsins) and mislocalization of medium-wavelength-sensitive cone opsins (M-opsins). Studies have shown that routine Rpe65 gene replacement therapy, mediated by an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, can restore RPE65 protein. However, AAV transfection and Rpe65 transgene expression require at least one to two weeks, and the treatment cannot fully block the early-onset cone degeneration. To determine the feasibility of delaying cone degeneration before gene therapy, we investigated the impact of 11cRAL treatment in an early-age LCA2 retinal degeneration 12 (rd12) mouse model. Similar to human patients, the mouse model carries a spontaneous mutation in the Rpe65 gene, which results in disrupted endogenous 11cRAL regeneration. We found that RPE65 deficiency did not notably affect rodent retinal vessels. Under red light illumination, the rd12 mice were intraperitoneally injected with exogenous 11cRAL from postnatal day (P) 14 to P21. Three days after the last injection, a notable recovery of retinal function was observed using scotopic and photopic electroretinograms. Using optical coherence tomography and histological analyses of the deficient retinas, we found changes in the thickness of the photoreceptor outer segment (OS); this change could be rescued by early 11cRAL treatment. In addition, the treatment notably preserved M- and S-opsins, both of which maintained appropriate localization inside cone cells, as shown by the wild-type mice. In contrast, the age-matched untreated rd12 mice were characterized by retinal S-opsin loss and M-opsin mislocalization from the photoreceptor OS to the inner segment, outer nuclear layer, or outer plexiform layer. Notably, 11cRAL treatment could not maintain retinal function for a long time. Ten days after the last injection, the rod and M-cone electroretinograms significantly decreased, and S-cone responses almost extinguished. Our findings suggest that early 11cRAL treatment is useful for restoring retinal function and rescuing morphology in the rd12 mouse model, and the early-onset and rapid cone degeneration can be delayed before gene therapy., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become a highly-utilized model system in the field of regenerative biology because of their endogenous ability to regenerate many tissues and organs, including the retina. The vast majority of previous research on retinal regeneration in adult zebrafish utilizes acute methodologies for retinal damage. Acute retinal cell death triggers a reactive gliosis response of Müller glia (MG), the resident macroglia of the retina. In addition, each activated MG undergoes asymmetric cell division to produce a neuronal progenitor, which continues to divide and ultimately gives rise to new retinal neurons. Studies using these approaches have uncovered many crucial mechanisms by which MG respond to acute damage. However, they may not adequately mimic the chronic neuronal degeneration observed in many human retinal degenerative diseases. The current study aimed to develop a new long-term, chronic photoreceptor damage and degeneration model in adult zebrafish. Comparing the subsequent cellular responses to that of the commonly-used acute high-intensity model, we found that low, continuous light exposure damaged the outer segments of both rod and cone photoreceptors, but did not result in significant apoptotic cell death, MG gliosis, or MG cell-cycle re-entry. Instead, chronic light nearly completely truncated photoreceptor outer segments and resulted in a recruitment of microglia to the area. Together, these studies present a chronic photoreceptor model that can be performed in a relatively short time frame (21 days), that may lend insight into the cellular events underlying non-regenerative photoreceptor degeneration observed in other model systems., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Sigma 1 Receptor (Sig1R), a pluripotent modulator of cell survival, is a promising target for treatment of retinal degenerative diseases. Previously, we reported that administration of the high-affinity, high-specificity Sig1R ligand (+)-pentazocine, ((+)-PTZ) beginning at post-natal day 14 (P14) and continuing every other day improves visual acuity and delays loss of photoreceptor cells (PRCs) in the Pde6βrd10/J (rd10) mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. Whether administration of (+)-PTZ, at time points concomitant with (P18) or following (P21, P24) onset of PRC death, would prove neuroprotective was investigated in this study. Rd10 mice were administered (+)-PTZ intraperitoneally [0.5 mg/kg], starting at either P14, P18, P21 or P24. Injections continued every other day through P42. Visual acuity was assessed using the optokinetic tracking response (OKR). Rd10 mice treated with (+)-PTZ beginning at P14 retained visual acuity for the duration of the study (~0.33 c/d at P21, ~0.38 c/d at P28, ~0.32 c/d at P35, ~0.32 c/d at P42), whereas mice injected beginning at P18, P21, P24 showed a decline in acuity when tested at P35 and P42. Their acuity was only slightly better than rd10-non-treated mice. Electrophysiologic function was assessed using scotopic and photopic electroretinography (ERG) to assess rod and cone function, respectively. Photopic a- and b-wave amplitudes were significantly greater in rd10 mice treated with (+)-PTZ beginning at P14 compared with non-treated mice and those in the later-onset (+)-PTZ injection groups. Retinal architecture was visualized in living mice using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) allowing measurement of the total retinal thickness, the inner retina and the outer retina (the area most affected in rd10 mice). The outer retina measured ~35 μm in rd10 mice treated with (+)-PTZ beginning at P14, which was significantly greater than mice in the later-onset (+)-PTZ injection groups (~25 μm) and non-treated rd10 mice (~25 μm). Following the visual function studies performed in the living mice, eyes were harvested at P42 for histologic analysis. While the inner retina was largely intact in all (+)-PTZ-injection groups, there was a marked reduction in the outer retina of non-treated rd10 mice (e.g. in the outer nuclear layer there were ~10 PRCs/100 μm retinal length). The rd10 mice treated with (+)-PTZ beginning at P14 had ~20 PRCs/100 μm retinal length, whereas the mice in groups beginning P18, P21 and P24 had ~16 PRCs/100 μm retinal length. In conclusion, the data indicate that delaying (+)-PTZ injection past the onset of PRC death in rd10 mice - even by a few days - can negatively impact the long-term preservation of retinal function. Our findings suggest that optimizing the administration of Sig1R ligands is critical for retinal neuroprotection., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Bilallelic variants in the USH2A gene can cause Usher syndrome type 2 and non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa. In both disorders, the retinal phenotype involves progressive rod photoreceptor loss resulting in nyctalopia and a constricted visual field, followed by subsequent cone degeneration, leading to the loss of central vision and severe visual impairment. The USH2A gene raises many challenges for researchers and clinicians due to a broad spectrum of mutations, a large gene size hampering gene therapy development and limited knowledge on its pathogenicity. Patients with Usher type 2 may benefit from hearing aids or cochlear implants to correct their hearing defects, but there are currently no approved treatments available for the USH2A-retinopathy. Several treatment strategies, including antisense oligonucleotides and translational readthrough inducing drugs, have shown therapeutic promise in preclinical studies. Further understanding of the pathogenesis and natural history of USH2A-related disorders is required to develop innovative treatments and design clinical trials based on reliable outcome measures. The present review will discuss the current knowledge about USH2A, the emerging therapeutics and existing challenges., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Porcine models of ophthalmological diseases are often used in pre-clinical translational studies due to pigs' similarities to humans. In particular, the iodoacetic acid (IAA) model of photoreceptor degeneration seems to mimic well the endstage phenotype of human pathologies as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration, with high potential for prosthesis/retinal devices testing. IAA is capable of inducing photoreceptor death by blockage of glycolysis, and its effects on the retina have been described. Nonetheless, up to date, literature lacks of a comprehensive morpho-functional characterization of the entire visual system of this model. This gap is particularly critical for prosthesis testing as inner retinal structures and optic pathways must be preserved to elicit cortical responses and restore vision. In this study, we investigated the functional and anatomical features of the visual system of IAA-treated pigs and compared them to control animals. IAA was administered intravenously at 12 mg/kg; control animals received saline solution (NaCl 0.9% w/v). Electrophysiological analyses included full-field (ffERGs) and pattern (PERGs) electroretinograms and flash visually evoked potentials (fVEPs). Histological evaluations were performed on the retina and the optic pathways and included thickness of the different retinal layers, ganglion cells count, and immunohistochemistry for microglial cells, macroglial cells, and oligodendrocytes. The histological results indicate that IAA treatment does not affect the morphology of the inner retina and optic pathways. Electrophysiology confirms the selective rod and partial cone degeneration, but is ambiguous as to the functionality of the optic pathways, seemingly preserved as indicated by the still detectable fVEPs. Overall, the work ameliorates the characterization of such rapid and cost-effective model, providing more strength and reliability for future pre-clinical translational trials., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Retinal photoreceptors are important in visual signaling for normal eye growth in animals. We used Gnat2 cplf3/cplf3 (Gnat2 -/- ) mice, a genetic mouse model of cone dysfunction to investigate the influence of cone signaling in ocular refractive development and myopia susceptibility in mice. Refractive development under normal visual conditions was measured for Gnat2 -/- and age-matched Gnat2 +/+ mice, every 2 weeks from 4 to 14 weeks of age. Weekly measurements were performed on a separate cohort of mice that underwent monocular form-deprivation (FD) in the right eye from 4 weeks of age using head-mounted diffusers. Refraction, corneal curvature, and ocular biometrics were obtained using photorefraction, keratometry and optical coherence tomography, respectively. Retinas from FD mice were harvested, and analyzed for dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate (DOPAC) using high-performance liquid chromatography. Under normal visual conditions, Gnat2 +/+ and Gnat2 -/- mice showed similar refractive error, axial length, and corneal radii across development (p > 0.05), indicating no significant effects of the Gnat2 mutation on normal ocular refractive development in mice. Three weeks of FD produced a significantly greater myopic shift in Gnat2 -/- mice compared to Gnat2 +/+ controls (-5.40 ± 1.33 D vs -2.28 ± 0.28 D, p = 0.042). Neither the Gnat2 mutation nor FD altered retinal levels of DA or DOPAC. Our results indicate that cone pathways needed for high acuity vision in primates are not as critical for normal refractive development in mice, and that both rods and cones contribute to visual signalling pathways needed to respond to FD in mammalian eyes., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) apoptosis and their axon degeneration are pivotal features in glaucoma. Previous studies suggest that the process of RGCs soma degeneration is distinct from axon degeneration and that both of them lead to vision loss but separately. However, since a normal visual function relies on the integrity of axon, synapse and soma in the retina, a comprehensive understanding of the changes of these neuron components in glaucoma is desired. Therefore, in an acute ocular hypertension (AOH) model in mice, we systematically evaluated retinal neuron soma, axon and synapse alteration at certain time points. We found that ocular hypertension led to a progressive apoptosis of retinal neural cells which proceeded from peripheral to central retina in the wholemount, meanwhile, started in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and spread to the inner nuclear layer (INL) and then the outer nuclear layer (ONL) as time went on. The type of apoptotic cells was identified as RGCs in GCL, amacrine cells in INL and cone photoreceptor cells in ONL. Axon degeneration was observed at the same time as soma degenerated and also progressed from peripheral to central retina. More interestingly, accumulation of neurofilament in the soma caused by axon transport failure was detected synchronously. We also found that presynaptic and postsynaptic vesicle proteins were downregulated. Taken together, these data support a view that retinal neuronal apoptosis happens not only in RGCs, but also other neurons in laminar layers. Axon damage and synapse loss occur synchronously with soma loss in AOH. The combination of these three parameters might facilitate a systematic evaluation of the disease progression and treatment strategies in glaucoma., (Copyright © 2018 Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The mammalian retina consists of multiple cell layers including photoreceptor cells, which are light sensing neurons that play essential functions in the visual process. Previously, we identified mutations in SPATA7, encoding spermatogenesis associated protein 7, in families with Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) and juvenile Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), and showed that Spata7 null mice recapitulate the human disease phenotype of retinal degeneration. SPATA7 is expressed in the connecting cilium of photoreceptor (PR) cells in the mouse retina, as well as in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, but the functional role of Spata7 in the RPE remains unknown. To investigate whether Spata7 is required in PRs, the RPE, or both, we conditionally knocked out Spata7 in photoreceptors and RPE cells using Crx-Cre and Best1-Cre transgenic mouse lines, respectively. In Spata7 photoreceptor-specific conditional (cKO) mice, both rod and cone photoreceptor dysfunction and degeneration is observed, characterized by progressive thinning of the outer nuclear layer and reduced response to light; however, RPE-specific deletion of Spata7 does not impair retinal function or cell survival. Furthermore, our findings show that both Rhodopsin and RPGRIP1 are mislocalized in the Spata7 Flox/- ; Crx-Cre cKO mice, suggesting that loss of Spata7 in photoreceptors alone can result in altered trafficking of these proteins in the connecting cilium. Together, our findings suggest that loss of Spata7 in photoreceptors alone is sufficient to cause photoreceptor degeneration, but its function in the RPE is not required for photoreceptor survival; therefore, loss of Spata7 in photoreceptors alters both rod and cone function and survival, consistent with the clinical phenotypes observed in LCA and RP patients with mutations in SPATA7., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Studies of antigen presentation in retina using mice that expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP) from a transgenic CD11c promoter found that retinal GFP hi cells possessed antigen presentation function. Subsequent studies found that these high GFP hi cells preferentially localized to sites of retinal injury, consistent with their APC function. Interest in the roles of macrophages in degenerative CNS diseases led us to study the GFP hi cells in a retinal model of neurodegeneration. We asked if apoptotic cone photoreceptor cell death in Rpe65 -/- knockout mice induced the GFP hi cells, explored their relationship to resident microglia (MG), and tested their role in cone survival., Methods: Rpe65 -/- mice were bred to CD11c GFP mice on the B6/J background. CD11c GFP Rpe65 -/- mice were also backcrossed to CX3CR1 YFP-creER ROSA DTA mice so that CX3CR1 + mononuclear cells could be depleted by Tamoxifen. Retinas were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, fluorescence fundoscopy and flow cytometry., Results: Elevated numbers of GFP hi cells were concentrated in photoreceptor cell layers of CD11c GFP Rpe65 -/- mice coinciding with the peak of cone death at 2 to 4weeks of age, and persisted for at least 14months. After the initial wave of cone loss, a slow progressive loss of cones was found that continued to retain GFP hi cells in the outer retina. Sustained, four-week Tamoxifen depletions of the GFP hi cells and MG in Rpe65 -/- mice from day 13 to day 41, and from day 390 to day 420 promoted a small increase in cone survival. We found no evidence that the GFP hi cells were recruited from the circulation; all data pointed to a MG origin. MG and GFP hi cells were well segregated in the dystrophic retina; GFP hi cells were foremost in the photoreceptor cell layer, while MG were concentrated in the inner retina., Conclusions: The expression of GFP on a subset of retinal mononuclear cells in CD11c GFP mice identified a distinct population of cells performing functions previously attributed to MG. Although GFP hi cells dominated the macrophage response to cone death in the photoreceptor cell layer, their ablation led to only an incremental increase in cone survival. The ability to identify, ablate, and isolate these cells will facilitate analysis of this activated, antigen-presenting subset of MG., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Retinitis pigmentosa is a photoreceptor-degenerative disease that is currently untreatable and eventually causes blindness. Methyl 3,4 dihydroxybenzoate (MDHB) is a small molecule that exerts neuroprotective effects in vitro. The present study tests whether MDHB protects the retina of rd10 mice, a model of retinitis pigmentosa. MDHB or an equal volume of vehicle was intraperitoneally injected in rd10 mice daily from postnatal day 12 (P12) to P26. Retinal morphology was evaluated by immunostaining, and retinal function by electroretinogram (ERG) and by visual behavior. TUNEL, Iba1, GFAP staining and western blotting were applied to explore the neuroprotective mechanism of MDHB in retina. MDHB treatment significantly promoted photoreceptor survival and preserved cone morphology compared to the untreated animals. The visual behavior and ERG responses were also greatly enhanced in MDHB-treated rd10 mice. Mechanistically, following MDHB treatment, the number of TUNEL-positive cells was decreased in rd10 retina, and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein and phosphorylated tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor were increased. Furthermore, blocking TrkB using the antagonist ANA-12 prevented the protective effect of MDHB on photoreceptor survival and structure. MDHB treatment also inhibited microglial activation and Muller cell gliosis in rd10 retina. In conclusion, MDHB treatment delays retinal degeneration in rd10 mice and preserves retinal structure and functions. These effects are likely mediated by the BDNF-TrkB pathway. Due to its neurotrophic effects and ability to reduce reactive gliosis, MDHB may be useful to treat degenerative diseases in retina and brain., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited disorder that may lead to blindness. In the rhodopsin S334ter-line-3 rat model of RP, the death of rods induces spatial rearrangement of cones into regular ring mosaics. Using this model, we discovered that the ring mosaics are restored to a homogeneous distribution upon application of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). In this study, we further investigated the cone migration and spatial distribution of second-order neurons and their connections to cones in the presence or absence of TIMP-1 using immunohistochemistry to identify retinal neurons and their connections with cones. M-opsin cell bodies and their outer segments were evaluated to determine whether TIMP-1 delays the degeneration of outer segments of cones. We observed that during cone rearrangement into ring mosaics in RP retina, dendritic processes of second-order neurons undergo remodeling to maintain their synaptic connections with the cones in the rings. TIMP-1 treatment induced the cones to rearrange and dendritic processes of second-order neurons to return to a more homogeneous spatial distribution. In addition, TIMP-1 treatment protected the outer segments of cones at later stages of retinal degeneration. Our findings clearly demonstrate that despite their dramatic spatial rearrangement, cones and second-order neuron processes maintain their synaptic connections before and after TIMP-1 treatment., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

To investigate the long-term effects of laser-photocoagulation (LP)-induced ocular hypertension (OHT) in the innermost and outermost (outer-nuclear and outer segment)-retinal layers (ORL). OHT was induced in the left eye of adult rats. To investigate the ganglion cell layer (GCL) wholemounts were examined at 1, 3 or 6 months using Brn3a-immunodetection to identify retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and DAPI-staining to detect all nuclei in this layer. To study the effects of LP on the ORL up to 6 months, retinas were: i) fresh extracted to quantify the levels of rod-, S- and L-opsin; ii) cut in cross-sections for morphometric analysis, or; iii) prepared as wholemounts to quantify and study retinal distributions of entire populations of RGCs (retrogradely labeled with fluorogold, FG), S- and L-cones (immunolabeled). OHT resulted in wedge-like sectors with their apex on the optic disc devoid of Brn3a(+)RGCs but with large numbers of DAPI(+)nuclei. The levels of all opsins diminished by 2 weeks and further decreased to 20% of basal-levels by 3 months. Cross-sections revealed focal areas of ORL degeneration. RGC survival at 15 days represented approximately 28% and did not change with time, whereas the S- and L-cone populations diminished to 65% and 80%, or to 20 and 35% at 1 or 6 months, respectively. In conclusion, LP induces in the GCL selective RGCs loss that does not progress after 1 month, and S- and L-cone loss that progresses for up to 6 months. Thus, OHT results in severe damage to both the innermost and the ORL., (Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Inherited retinal degenerations affecting both rod and cone photoreceptors constitute one of the causes of incurable blindness in the developed world. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is crucial in the phototransduction and, mutations in genes related to its metabolism are responsible for different retinal dystrophies. cGMP-degrading phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) mutations cause around 4-5% of the retinitis pigmentosa, a rare form of retinal degeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pharmacological PDE6 inhibition induced retinal degeneration in cone-enriched cultures of porcine retina similar to that found in murine models. PDE6 inhibition was induced in cone-enriched retinal explants from pigs by Zaprinast. PDE6 inhibition induced cGMP accumulation and triggered retinal degeneration, as determined by TUNEL assay. Western blot analysis and immunostaining indicated that degeneration was accompanied by caspase-3, calpain-2 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) accumulation. Oxidative stress markers, total antioxidant capacity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and nitric oxide measurements revealed the presence of oxidative damage. Elevated TNF-alpha and IL-6, as determined by enzyme immunoassay, were also found in cone-enriched retinal explants treated with Zaprinast. Our study suggests that this ex vivo model of retinal degeneration in porcine retina could be an alternative model for therapeutic research into the mechanisms of photoreceptor death in cone-related diseases, thus replacing or reducing animal experiments., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cone-rod dystrophy 6 (CORD6) is an inherited blindness that presents with defective cone photoreceptor function in childhood, followed by loss of rod function. CORD6 results from mutations in GUCY2D, the human gene encoding retinal guanylate cyclase 1 (RETGC-1). RETGC-1 functions in phototransduction, synthesising cGMP to open ion channels in photoreceptor outer segments. As there is limited histopathological data on the CORD6 retina, our goal was to generate a CORD6 model by expressing mutant human RETGC-1 in zebrafish cone photoreceptors and to investigate effects on retinal morphology and function. cDNAs encoding wildtype and mutant (E837D R838S) RETGC-1 were cloned under the control of the cone-specific gnat2 promoter and microinjected into zebrafish embryos to generate transgenic lines. RETGC-1 mRNA expression in zebrafish eyes was confirmed by RT-PCR. Fluorescent microscopy analysed retinal morphology and visual behaviour was quantified by the optokinetic response (OKR). Stable transgenic lines expressing mutant or wildtype human RETGC-1 in zebrafish eyes were generated. OKR assays of 5-day-old larvae did not uncover any deficits in visual behaviour. However, transgenic (E837D R838S) RETGC-1 expression results in aberrant cone morphology and a reduced cone density. A reduction in the number of photoreceptor nuclei, the thickness of the outer nuclear layer and the labelling of rod outer segments, particularly in the central retina, was evident. Expression of mutant human RETGC-1 leads to a retinal phenotype that includes aberrant photoreceptor morphology and a reduced number of photoreceptors. This phenotype likely explains the compromised visual function, characteristic of CORD6., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Fgf signaling is required for many biological processes involving the regulation of cell proliferation and maintenance, including embryonic patterning, tissue homeostasis, wound healing, and cancer progression. Although the function of Fgf signaling is suggested in several different regeneration models, including appendage regeneration in amphibians and fin and heart regeneration in zebrafish, it has not yet been studied during zebrafish photoreceptor cell regeneration. Here we demonstrate that intravitreal injections of FGF-2 induced rod precursor cell proliferation and photoreceptor cell neuroprotection during intense light damage. Using the dominant-negative Tg(hsp70:dn-fgfr1) transgenic line, we found that Fgf signaling was required for homeostasis of rod, but not cone, photoreceptors. Even though fgfr1 is expressed in both rod and cone photoreceptors, we found that Fgf signaling differentially affected the regeneration of cone and rod photoreceptors in the light-damaged retina, with the dominant-negative hsp70:dn-fgfr1 transgene significantly repressing rod photoreceptor regeneration without affecting cone photoreceptors. These data suggest that rod photoreceptor homeostasis and regeneration is Fgf-dependent and that rod and cone photoreceptors in adult zebrafish are regulated by different signaling pathways., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cone photoreceptor death is a leading cause of blindness in industrialised countries. Despite this, there are few mammalian models available to study cone pathophysiology. The diurnal rodent Arvicanthis possesses a high cone percentage and ease of maintenance. We recently described the effect of ambient light conditions on cyclic disc shedding, and observed that 24 h of constant illumination ("LL") completely disrupted the normal rhythmic process and increased cone shedding fourfold. The current study was undertaken to see whether protracted constant illumination (7 days LL) would further perturb cone (and rod) turnover, and possibly lead to photoreceptor degeneration. Whereas control (cyclic lighting) retinas exhibited a typical early morning burst in phagosomes, LL retinas exhibited only low uniform numbers of rod and cone phagosomes across 24 h, with no peak of shedding at any time. Morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses of Arvicanthis retinas after 7 days LL (300 lux) showed no structural changes compared to control retinas., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The disease-causing gene which underlies a naturally occurring X-linked mutant cone dysfunction Sprague-Dawley rat model was investigated. Full-field electroretinogram (ERG) and simple sequence length polymorphism analyses were applied to 441-second filial generation rats that were derived from crossing a mutant rat and a Brown-Norway rat. After identifying a mutation mapping within the telomeric region of chromosome X, a candidate gene related to retinal cone function in this region was further screened using real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and histological methods. The results showed that a G-to-T substitution at the splice acceptor site of intron 4 was present in the opsin 1, medium-wave sensitive (Opn1mw) gene, thereby causing down-regulated transcription and translation. These changes were consistent with abnormities seen in the ERG response. However, there was no significant histological change in the mutant rat retina. Therefore, we infer from this that the causative gene for the mutation is Opn1mw and consequently term this a middle-wavelength opsin cone dysfunction (MCD) rat model. The deficiency in vision of the MCD rat is similar to the color vision defects that occur in humans with a color vision defect but without recessive retinal degeneration. This rat model may be useful for understanding the mechanism that is responsible for color vision and for developing clinical therapies for several retinal dystrophies caused by cone opsin deficiencies., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Our previous studies have shown that very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) is a negative regulator of the Wnt pathway. The present study showed that VLDLR gene knockout (Vldlr(-/-)) mice displayed impaired cone ERG responses at early ages. Immunostaining of mid-wavelength cones showed significantly decreased cone densities in the retina and shortened cone outer segments in Vldlr(-/-) mice. At older ages, Vldlr(-/-) mice displayed declined rod ERG responses, decreased layers of photoreceptor nuclei, reduced rhodopsin levels and decreased levels of 11-cis retinal, the chromophore of visual pigments. As shown by fluorescein angiography and permeability assay, Vldlr(-/-) mice had severe retinal vascular leakage. ZO-1, a tight junction protein, was down-regulated in Vldlr(-/-) mouse retinae, further supporting the impaired blood-retinal barrier. Double staining of pericytes and endothelial cells in retinal sections revealed that neovasculature in Vldlr(-/-) mice lacks pericyte coverage, suggesting impaired maturation of retinal vasculature in Vldlr(-/-) mice. Staining of adherent leukocytes in the retinal vasculature revealed significant leukostasis in Vldlr(-/-) mice. Moreover, Vldlr(-/-) mice displayed up-regulated expression of multiple pro-inflammatory factors and activated NF-kappaB and HIF-1 alpha, key regulators of inflammation. These findings suggest that deficiency of VLDLR leads to retinal degeneration and inflammation.

We studied the survival of cone photoreceptors following the degeneration of rods in the rd mouse. Cones were visualized by selective expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) following transduction with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. As previously reported, many cones survive after the initial degeneration of the rods. Soon after the initial degeneration, they lose their outer segments and all but a vestigial inner segment; and they partially retract or lose their axon and synaptic pedicle. However, they retain many fundamental features of the cone phenotype, and for many weeks show a polarized morphology indicative of substantial regrowth of processes. The cells retain their laminar position, forming a cell row just distal to a much thinned outer plexiform layer. The somata subsequently enlarge. Most of the cells extend bipolar processes, recreating the original bipolar morphology of a photoreceptor cell--though now turned on its side relative to the native position. The cells express short- or middle-wavelength opsins, recoverin and connexin36. One or more of the polarized processes could often be shown to contain synaptic ribbons, as visualized by antibodies against RIBEYE. The cones do not express protein kinase C alpha, Go alpha, ChX10 or calbindin, markers of bipolar or horizontal cells. The partially differentiated cone morphology persists for at least several months, after which the processes begin to retract and there is slow loss of the cells. Thus, during the time following the loss of their rod-dominated microenvironment, the cones achieve a semi-stable state in which much of their normal phenotype is preserved. Cone photoreceptors in retinas of human RP donors appear from their morphology to undergo a similar progression. The therapeutic window for rescue of cone photoreceptors may be longer than would have been thought.

Tissues often respond to damage by recapitulating developmental programs. We have investigated whether anatomical signs of developmental recapitulation are evident in cone photoreceptors of the aged and AMD-afflicted human retina. Radial migration of cell nuclei mediated by microtubules is a characteristic feature of cells in the developing retina. Similarly, neurite outgrowth is a feature of developing neurons. We have examined whether nuclear kinesis and neurite outgrowth from cone photoreceptors is evident. Calbindin-positive cone photoreceptor nuclei are normally positioned as a single layer of somata at the outer border of the outer nuclear layer. In AMD-afflicted retinae, many nuclei are translocated, with some somata abutting the outer plexiform layer (OPL) and others outside the outer limiting membrane whilst many nuclei are present at intermediate levels. The axonal processes of many cones were also aberrant, displaying tortuous pathways as they projected to the OPL, with occasional evidence for bifurcation at points where the axon changed direction. We suggest that tangential extension of collateral neurites and the rapid retraction of the original process may give rise to the tortuous axonal projections observed. Since microtubules are key mediators of both neurite extension and nuclear kinesis we examined expression of microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) which is an important regulator of neurite extension. The strong expression of MAP2 observed in those cells with aberrant morphologies supports the notion that abnormal microtubule-mediated remodelling events are present in the AMD retina and to a lesser extent in normal aged retinas, allowing cone photoreceptors to recapitulate two key features of development.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) provides morphologic preservation of rods in several animal models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). However, CNTF may alter photoreceptor morphology and rod photoreceptor differentiation in vitro, as well as affecting normal retinal electrophysiology. In addition, the capacity of CNTF to support other cell types affected secondarily in RP (cones and ganglion cells) is unclear. The purposes of this study were to examine the effects of CNTF upon a canine model of RP, the rod-cone degeneration (rcd-1) dog. Archival tissue from a previous study assessing the capacity of CNTF to rescue photoreceptors in rcd-1 dogs was used. One eye was treated for 7 weeks before being explanted. The contralateral eye was untreated. A total of 23 rcd-1 dogs and seven control dogs (four untreated and three CNTF-treated) were used. Morphometric data describing outer and inner nuclear layer thickness, inner retinal thickness, cones and ganglion cells were collected at nine evenly spaced points along each retina and analysed using a mixed effects model. Immunohistochemistry was performed on a subset of 11 dogs for expression of rhodopsin, human cone arrestin (hCAR) and recoverin. CNTF protected the outer nuclear layer and increased inner retinal thickness in a dose-dependent manner (both were maximal at CNTF doses of 1-6 ng day-1). Significant cone loss or reduction of inner nuclear layer width in rcd-1 did not occur in this model, therefore we were unable to assess the protective effect of CNTF upon these parameters. CNTF did not afford significant ganglion cell protection. CNTF induced morphologic changes in rods and ganglion cells, as well as reducing expression of hCAR and rhodopsin, but not recoverin. The dose of CNTF which provided optimal outer nuclear layer protection also resulted in several other effects, including altered ganglion cell morphology, increased thickness of the entire retina, and reduced expression of some phototransduction proteins. These changes were more marked in rcd-1 retinas than in wild-type retinas. This implies that the consequences of CNTF treatment may be substantially influenced by the cellular context into which it is introduced.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophylls selectively accumulated by primate retinas that may protect the macula from age-related macular degeneration. In this project, we manipulated n-3 fatty acids, lutein and/or zeaxanthin levels in the diet and studied their possible outcome on S-cone and rod cell density in the foveal region. Rhesus monkeys (7-16 year, n=17) were fed from birth xanthophyll-free semipurified diets with either adequate or low n-3 fatty acids. Five monkeys were supplemented with lutein and six with zeaxanthin for 6-24 months, while six remained xanthophyll-free until sacrifice. Retinas were embedded in methacrylate and serial 2 microm sections were cut along the vertical meridian. Rod nuclei, and immuno-labelled outer segments of S-cones and rods, were reconstructed and counted in an 8 microm strip. The density profiles were compared with data from control monkeys (n=7) fed a standard laboratory diet. S-cone density profiles were symmetrical along the vertical meridian and the densities decreased rapidly with retinal eccentricity. Rod densities were higher in the superior region than the inferior region in most of the control and experimental animals. Unlike the significant effects observed for retinal pigment epithelial cells of these same monkeys (Leung, I.Y-F., Sandstrom, M.M., Zucker, C.L., Neuringer, M., Snodderly, D.M., 2004. Nutritional manipulation of primate retinas. II. Effects of age, n-3 fatty acids, lutein, and zeaxanthin on retinal pigment epithelium. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 45, 3244-3256), neither xanthophyll supplementation nor low dietary n-3 fatty acids produced consistent effects on S-cone or rod density profiles of the experimental animals. However, monkeys low in n-3 fatty acids had increased variability of S-cone density in the fovea and low density of foveal rod outer segments. The high variability suggests that the photoreceptors of some animals were resistant to the nutritional manipulations, while others may have been affected. Thus, the photoreceptors appear less sensitive than the retinal pigment epithelium to these nutritional manipulations. However, it is possible that more consistent effects would emerge at a later age or after exposure to stressors such as high light levels.

A unique transgenic mouse line was generated by incorporating a minigene that contained a cone-specific human cone transducin alpha-subunit (GNAT2) promoter, an attenuated diphtheria toxin A (DTA) gene, and an enhancer element from human interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) gene. This transgenic mouse line is designated h-GNAT2pro-DTA. During postnatal retinal development, both transgenic and non-transgenic retinas showed similar morphology and thickness at P1. Between ages P8 and P30, all retinal layers became recognizable in non-transgenic and also in transgenic dorsal retinas. However, in the ventral retina of the transgenic mice the photoreceptor layers did not develop. This aberration occurred as a result of abnormal cellular development, rather than as a consequence of retinal degeneration. In adult transgenic animals, approximately 44% of the retina located dorsally appeared morphologically normal, whereas 32% of the retina located ventrally was completely lacking photoreceptor development. The 24% mid-retinal region exhibited transitional morphology containing malformed photoreceptors. At P360 or older, the thickness of retina layers was reduced in both dorsal and ventral regions. The abnormality observed in transgenic retinas involved mainly the photoreceptors; the other retinal cell types were all present in both dorsal and ventral retinas. Since the DTA gene was only expressed in cone cells, the absence of cone photoreceptors in the transgenic retina was to be expected. However, what was unexpected was the concomitant absence of rod photoreceptors in the ventral retina, suggesting that the presence of cones may be important for the development of rods. This new transgenic line can lead to better understanding of photoreceptor development, and may serve as a new animal model for studying photoreceptor-related retinal diseases.

Many gaps exist in our knowledge of human retinal microglia in health and disease. We address the hypothesis that primary death of rod photoreceptors leads to activation of resident microglia in human retinas with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), late-onset retinal degeneration (L-ORD), or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Regions of ongoing photoreceptor cell death were studied by immunocytochemistry with microglia- and other retinal cell-specific markers. In normal human retinas, quiescent microglia were small, stellate cells associated with inner retinal blood vessels. In retinas with RP, L-ORD, or AMD, numerous activated microglia were present in the outer nuclear layer in regions of ongoing rod cell death. These microglia were enlarged, amoeboid cells that contained rhodopsin-positive cytoplasmic inclusions. We conclude that activated microglia migrate to the outer nuclear layer and remove rod cell debris. In other central nervous system diseases such as stroke, activated microglia phagocytose debris from the primary injury and also secrete molecules that kill nearby normal neurons. By analogy with these diseases, we suggest that microglia activated by primary rod cell death may kill adjacent photoreceptors. Activated microglia may be a missing link in understanding why initial rod cell death in the human diseases RP, L-ORD, and AMD leads to death of the cones that are critical for high acuity daytime vision.

Although transgenic expression of oncogenes typically leads to tumorigenesis, oncogene expression directed to the rod photoreceptors leads to cell death without tumor formation. To evaluate the cellular and functional changes induced in cone photoreceptors by an oncogene, the Mas1 protooncogene was targeted to the cones of transgenic mice by the human red/green opsin promoter. Mas1 was chosen because of its exclusive expression in the nervous system and its homology to opsin. The overall histologic appearance of the transgenic retina was normal and retinal tumors were never observed. While rod-mediated electroretinograms were normal in all respects, cone-mediated responses were diminished in direct relationship to the level of transgene expression as determined by Northern blot analysis. Responses of UV- and green-sensitive cones were reduced equivalently, and Northern analysis and immunocytochemistry indicated that cone photoreceptor densities were markedly diminished throughout transgenic retinas. These results indicate that oncogene expression in cones induces cell death without tumor formation and support the possibility that aberrant oncogene expression may underlie some forms of hereditary retinal diseases. The Mas1 transgenic mice may be useful in understanding the cone photoreceptor degeneration that occurs in cone dystrophies and age-related macular degeneration and in evaluating potential therapies for these disorders., (Copyright 2000 Academic Press.)

The retinas of rd/rd mice with inherited retinal degeneration were examined histologically at postnatal days 60-66, an age when most rod cells already have degenerated and disappeared but when a significant number of cones are still present. We observed an unexpected hemispheric asymmetry and large variability in the number of surviving cones. Significantly more cones survived in the inferior than in the superior hemisphere in most retinas, although in about 15% of animals the hemispheric asymmetry was absent or was reversed. The number of surviving cones was highly variable from animal to animal, ranging from 3-30, a factor of 10, within the superior hemisphere, and from 7-51, a factor greater than 7, in the inferior hemisphere. If the specific hemisphere was ignored, the number ranged from 3-51, a factor of 17. These findings have significance for the examination of cone survival in the late stages of degeneration in this widely studied mutant, including therapeutic studies using transplantation, gene therapy or survival factors, as well as for the identification of surviving cells using cone-specific markers.

Here we describe the spontaneous appearance of a retinal degeneration in two squirrel monkeys (New World monkey). Since the retinal pathology sufficiently resembles that seen in human degenerative disorder, studies of degeneration in monkeys could contribute to the prevention and treatment of the human disorder. The histopathological examination of horizontal sections comprising the optic disc and the fovea revealed photoreceptor outer and inner segments only in the central fovea. The morphology of the photoreceptors and outer nuclear layer changed rapidly away from the central fovea. There was a loss of outer segments, a shortening of inner segments and disorganized and flattened cells were found in the outer nuclear layer. AO labelling not only detected opsin in the few areas where outer segments were present, but also in the inner segments and the outer nuclear layer. The OS-2 antibody failed to stain the outer segments of the blue sensitive cones. The COS-1 antibody stained many red/green sensitive cones in the fovea, but their density decreased quickly outside this region. Thus, we have detected retinal degeneration in two outbred squirrel monkeys who were being examined for other reasons unrelated to research in retinal degeneration. One was feral and the other was only two generations removed from the feral state. The identification of retinal degeneration in a non-human primate holds great promise for the development of a treatment for human retinitis pigmentosa because access to a primate model would be of invaluable importance for studying the biochemistry behind these disorders.

We have produced transgenic mice (rdta mice) that express the gene for an attenuated diphtheria toxin under the control of a portion of the rhodopsin promotor. Morphologically, expression of this transgene results in the elimination of the majority of cell bodies in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) of the retina. This cell loss is evident as early as postnatal day 7 (P7), which corresponds closely to the onset of expression of rhodopsin in the mouse retina that occurs about P5. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis of mRNA from the retinae of rdta mice shows that the level of rhodopsin mRNA is reduced by 50% as early as P14 and by P28, has declined to approximately 15% of that in the retinae of control mice. Electroretinographic recordings from the dark-adapted rdta mice at P17 reveal that their retinae do not generate any rod-mediated signals. The majority of the cell bodies that persist in the ONL of the rdta retinae have the morphological features of cone photoreceptors, although these cells never develop normal inner and outer segments. To confirm that the surviving cells are cones we crossed the rdta mice to a different line of transgenic mice that express the E. coli beta-galactosidase (lacZ positive) reporter gene in all cone photoreceptors. In retinae from mice that inherit both transgenes, nearly every cell that remains in the ONL expresses lacZ and, thus, is a cone. This finding also is consistent with RT-PCR analyses, which show that cone opsin mRNAs persist in the retinae of our rdta mice at ages when rhodopsin mRNA is significantly reduced. Electroretinograms can be obtained from the rdta mice under conditions that saturate the rod response and, thus, providing evidence that the cones that remain are functional, even though they lack inner and outer segments. Finally, we have examined the inner nuclear layer for changes that result from rod photorecptors ablation. We show that, while the elimination of the rod photoreceptors has little or no effect on the morphology of the post-synaptic neurons, this deletion does alter their laminar position.

Inherited retinal dystrophy is a common cause of visual impairment. Cone dystrophy affects the cone function and is manifested as progressive loss of the central vision, defective color vision, and photophobia. Linkage was demonstrated between progressive cone dystrophy (CORD5) and genetic markers on chromosome 17p12-p13 in a five-generation family. Multipoint analysis gave a maximum lod score of 7.72 at the marker D17S938. Recombinant haplotypes in the family suggest that the cone dystrophy locus is located in a 25-cM interval between the markers D17S926/D17S849 and D17S804/D17S945. Furthermore, one recombination was detected between the disease locus and a microsatellite marker in the candidate gene RCV1, encoding the retinal protein recoverin. Two additional candidate genes encoding retinal guanylate cyclase (GUC2D) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) are located at 17p13.1. Moreover, loci for retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis have been mapped to the same region. Identification of the cone dystrophy locus may be of importance not only for identifying functional genes in the cone system, but also for identifying genes for other retinal disorders.