Immunohistochemical markers in full-thickness embryonic rabbit retinal transplants

• PURPOSE: To examine immunohistochemical markers in straight, well-laminated retinal transplants with special attention paid to the interphotoreceptor matrix, the Müller cells and the ganglion cells as these three retinal components have been abnormal in transplants produced by previous methods.METHODS: Nine rabbits underwent subretinal transplantation of a complete full-thickness embryonic neuroretina. After 31 or 49 days, the transplants were stained for light microscopy and processed for immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: Six of 9 eyes contained transplants with straight, well-laminated regions with all light-microscopic characteristics of a normal retina. In the outer segment region, the expression of peanut agglutinin showed segmental labeling of cone domains in the interphotoreceptor matrix, and interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein immunoreactivity was found. Glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin immunoreactivity revealed normal Müller cell morphology. In 3 transplants the AB5-antibody-labeled ganglion cells in the ganglion cell layer and all transplants contained nerve fibers in the nerve fiber layer labeled by an antibody against neurofilament of 160 kD. The latter also labeled fibers connecting the transplant with the host.CONCLUSIONS: Full-thickness embryonic retinal transplants develop the normal retinal appearance and display several of the retinal components necessary for normal function which are not found in transplants produced by previous methods.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Oftalmologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Ophthalmology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Animals

Biomarkers

Choline O-Acetyltransferase

Eye Proteins

Fetal Tissue Transplantation

Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect

Follow-Up Studies

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein

Immunoenzyme Techniques

Photoreceptor Cells

Rabbits

Retina

Retinal Ganglion Cells

Vimentin

Comparative Study

Journal Article

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)