Abstract |
We investigated the specificity of cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) expression in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of the transgenic Thy1-CFP (B6.Cg-Tg(Thy1-CFP)23Jrs/J) mouse line, and the characteristics of these cells after optic nerve injury. RGCs of adult Thy1-CFP mice were retrogradely labeled with fluorochrome (2% fluorogold [FG]) from the superior colliculi (SC). Animals were sacrificed 7 days after RGC labeling. Retinas were fixed and whole-mounted. CFP and FG-positive cells were visualized and imaged separately. Cells positive for CFP, FG, or co-labeled were counted. In another group of animals, the left optic nerves were transected 7 days after FG labeling. They were sacrificed 7 or 21 days after transection. The retinas were whole-mounted and the characteristics of CFP-expressing cells examined. CFP-expressing cells were distributed evenly throughout the retinas of Thy1-CFP mice. The average densities of CFP and FG-positive cells in the retina were 2778+/-216 and 3230+/-157 cells/mm(2), respectively. 93.2+/-1.6% of CFP-expressing cells were also labeled with FG. However, only 79.9+/-2.5% of FG-labeled RGCs expressed CFP. The number of CFP-expressing cells decreased dramatically after transection. Cells with spindle shape, immunohistochemically identified as microglia, were seen in the retina with CFP expression at both 7 and 21 days after optic nerve transection. In retinas of Thy1-CFP mice, CFP is expressed by the large majority of RGCs, but not exclusively by RGCs. CFP is internalized by phagocytosing cells after injury to RGCs.
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Authors | Xu Wang, Michele L Archibald, Kelly Stevens, William H Baldridge, Balwantray C Chauhan |
Journal | Neuroscience letters
(Neurosci Lett)
Vol. 468
Issue 2
Pg. 110-4
(Jan 04 2010)
ISSN: 1872-7972 [Electronic] Ireland |
PMID | 19879331
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Cyan Fluorescent Protein
- Thy-1 Antigens
- Green Fluorescent Proteins
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Topics |
- Animals
- Green Fluorescent Proteins
(biosynthesis, genetics)
- Immunohistochemistry
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Microglia
(metabolism)
- Optic Nerve Injuries
(metabolism)
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Retina
(metabolism)
- Retinal Ganglion Cells
(metabolism)
- Thy-1 Antigens
(genetics)
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