The flash electroretinogram (ERG) was used to characterize the scotopic retinal function in a marsupial. Key parameter values of the a- and b-waves of adult male sugar gliders, Petaurus breviceps breviceps, elicited with ganzfeld flashes were determined under dark- and light-adapted conditions. Using standard histological methods, the thicknesses of the major layers of the retina were assessed to provide insight into the nature of the ERG responses. The ERG and histological results were compared to corresponding data for placental C57Bl/6 mice to establish whether the functional retinal specialization that underlies scotopic visual function in a marsupial parallels that of a placental mouse. The sensitivity of the a-wave assessed with the Lamb and Pugh (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 47:5138–5152, 2006) “model” and that of the b-wave assessed with standard methods were lower in the sugar glider compared to the mouse. The thickness of the sugar glider retina was two-third of that of the mouse. The high-intensity flash ERG of the sugar glider substantially differed in shape from that of the mouse reflecting perhaps structural and functional differences between the two species at the level of the inner retina.

The rd1 (retinal degeneration) mouse retina shows degeneration homologous to a form of retinitis pigmentosa with a rapid loss of rod photoreceptors and deficiency of retinal blood vessels. Due to Pde6brd1 gene mutation, beta subunit of phosphodiesterase (PDE) of rd1 retina has an inactive PDE which elevates cGMP and Ca2+ ions level. In vitro retinal explants provide a system close to the in vivo situation, so both approaches were used to compare the status of oxidative stress, transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-beta 1), sialylation, galactosylation of proteoglycans, and different proteinases-endogenous inhibitors systems participating in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling/degeneration and programmed cell death (PCD)/apoptosis in wt and rd1 mouse retinas.Proteins and desialylated sulfated glucosaminoglycan parts of proteoglycans in ECM of rd1 retina were, respectively, decreased and increased due to enhanced activities of proteinases. Desialylation increases the susceptibility of cells to phoagocytosis/ apoptosis, decreased neurogenesis and faulty guidance cues for synaptogenesis. In vivo activities of total proteinases, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and cathepsin B were increased in rd1 retina on postnatal day 14 (PN14), -21 and -28, due to relatively lower levels of tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP-1) and cystatin C, respectively. This corresponded with increased in vitro secretion of these proteinases by rd1 retina. Cells including end-feet of Mueller cells in degenerating rd1 retina showed intense immunolabeling for MMP-9, MMP-2/TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and cathepsin B/cystatin C, and proteinases pool was increased by Mueller cells. Intense immunolabeling of ganglion cell (RGC) layer for cathepsin B and of inner-plexiform layer of both PN2/PN7 rd1 and wt retinas indicated importance of cathepsin B in synaptogenesis and PCD of RGC.Increased levels of TGF-beta 1 in vitro transiently increased the secretion of MMPs and cathepsins activities by wt explants which activate TGF-beta 1 and remodel the ECM for angiogenesis and ontogenetic PCD. Whereas, lower level of TGF-beta 1 and persistently higher activities of MMPs and cathepsins in rd1 retinas and conditioned medium, suggested that proteinases degraded TGF-beta 1 and ECM and caused retinal degeneration.Lower activities of glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione-peroxidase in rd1 retina contribute to oxidative stress which damages membranes and increased the expression, release/secretion of proteinases relative to their endogenous inhibitors. Participation of oxidative stress in rd1 retinal degeneration was further confirmed from the partial protection of rd1 photoreceptors by in vitro and/or in vivo supplementation with glutathione-S-transferase or a combination of antioxidants namely lutein, zeaxanthin, alpha-lipoic acid and reduced-L-glutathione. Treatment with combination(s) of broad spectrum proteinase inhibitor(s) and antioxidants needs investigation.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited retinal degenerative diseases characterized by the loss of photoreceptors and vision for which no effective treatment is available. Several animal models of retinitis pigmentosa are used to elucidate its pathogenesis and to devise therapies. The retinal degeneration (rd1) mouse is one such animal model in which rod-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) is inactive due to a mutation in the beta-subunit of the Pde gene (Pde6b(rd1)). This mutation leads to increased levels of retinal cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and Ca2+ ions and eventually retinal degeneration by increased oxidative stress, activation of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase-1 and proteinases including calpains and caspases. However, diverse overlapping mechanism(s) of cell death have been described.An in vitro retinal explant culture system was developed, as results of studies involving isolated retinal cells and the in vivo models are difficult to interpret. Neonatal and postnatal retinas of wild type (wt) and rd1 mice were cultured successfully in a serum-free medium containing bovine serum albumin. The cultured wt and rd1 retinas respectively developed and degenerated in ways similar to the age-matched in vivo retinas of the two genotypes. This was confirmed from the similar retinal lamination pattern, expression and immunohistochemical localization of opsin, rhodopsin, arrestin, interphotoreceptor retinol-binding protein and calcium-binding protein markers, namely, calbindin, parvalbumin and calretinin in age-matched in vivo and cultured retinas of both genotypes. Horizontal cell fibers and Mueller cells of in vivo retina showed the presence of alpha- and mu-glutathione-S-transferases (GST).In rd1 mouse retina, GST and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were lower than those in wt and suggested an oxidative stress. The photoreceptor rescue effects of lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF), alpha-GST, and mu-GST; and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), brain-derived growth factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); and antioxidants (lutein, zeaxanthin, glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid) were compared after supplementation in a serum-free retina organ culture system. The above combination of antioxidants rescued the rd1 photoreceptors both under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The maximum photoreceptors rescue was by CNTF + BDNF, whereas that by NGF + bFGF was intermediate. CNTF, BDNF, NGF, and bFGF individually rescued the photoreceptors, but their effect was less than those of their combinations. LEDGF and GST supplementation in vitro delayed rod photoreceptor degeneration in postnatal day-2 (PN2) and PN7 rd1 explants Cultured in vitro for 26 and 21 days, respectively, possibly by reversing the oxidative stress. The latter was confirmed from the lower levels of GPx and from the rescue of rd1 photoreceptors by in vitro and in vivo supplementation with LEDGF or the combination of antioxidants. Individual antioxidants were ineffective in rescuing the photoreceptors under in vivo and in vitro conditions.

PURPOSE To compare in vivo levels, spatial localization, and in vitro secretion of cysteine protease cathepsins and cystatin C (cysC) in the retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa and control (wt) mouse retinas. METHODS The spatial localization, protein contents, cysC levels and cathepsin-B, -S, and -L activities in wt and rd1 retinas at postnatal (PN) days 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 were analyzed by immunostaining, spectrophotometry, ELISA, and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The in vitro secretion of cysC and cysteine proteases by PN7 retinal explants into the conditioned medium (RCM) was quantified. RESULTS The pigment epithelium, photoreceptors, and inner retinal and ganglion cell layers of both wt and rd1 retinas showed cysC and cathepsin-B labeling. CysC immunostaining was extensive in the optic nerve head fibers. The rd1 explants secreted higher amounts of cysteine protease into the RCM. The protein content in wt and rd1 retinal extracts increased up to PN14, then decreased in rd1 but not in wt. In rd1 extracts at PN14 to -28, cathepsin activity was higher and increased with age, but the cysC level was higher and constant. The ratios of cathepsin activity to cysC (cathepsin-L at PN2 and total, -B, and -L at PN14 to -28) were higher in rd1 extracts. CONCLUSIONS Similar localization of both cathepsin-B and cysC in wt and rd1 retinas along with lower proteins and higher cathepsin activity in rd1 retinal extracts and RCM are consistent with their localization in extracellular matrix and a role in physiopathologic remodeling in wt and rd1 retinas.

Macroarray analysis was used to compare equal amounts of cDNA from wild-type and rd/rd (retinal degeneration) mice, collected at P90 when photoreceptor degeneration is virtually complete. A stronger signal for the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglucose isomerase (Gpi1) was observed in the rd/rd sample. Extracellularly, Gpi1 may act as a cytokine, independently described as neuroleukin and autocrine motility factor. Retinal Gpi1 expression was investigated by Northern and Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Double-labelling was performed with antibodies against Gpi1 and calbindin-D, glutamine synthetase, RPE65, calretinin and ultraviolet opsin in order to provide positive cell type identification. Northern and Western blots showed double expression levels per microgram of RNA and protein, respectively, in the rd/rd retina compared with wild-type. However, the total amount of Gpi1 protein per retina was indistinguishable. Gpi1 immunoreactivity was found in ganglion, amacrine, horizontal and bipolar cells, but not in rods, cones, pigment epithelium and Muller cells. This distribution explains why the absolute amounts of Gpi1 protein were not appreciably different between wild-type and the rd/rd phenotype, where rods and cones are absent, whilst the relative contribution of Gpi1 to the total protein and RNA pools differed. Some extracellular immunoreactivity was observed in the photoreceptor matrix around cones in freshly fixed tissue only, which could possibly reflect a role as a cytokine. We propose that glycolysis in Gpi1-negative cells proceeds entirely through the pentose phosphate pathway, creating NADPH at the cost of organic carbon. We hypothesize that the unique metabolic needs of photoreceptors justify this trade-off.

PURPOSE:Limited integration is consistently observed between subretinal transplants and host retinas. In the current study, an in vitro model system for studying connections forming between two abutting retinas was developed.METHODS:Neuroretinas were dissected from normal wild-type (WT) mice and green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice (obtained at postnatal days [P]0, P5, or P60), as well as from adult rd mice. Pieces from two different retinas (WT-WT, GFP-WT, GFP-rd) were placed side-by-side (contacting each other at the margins) or overlapping each other in organ cultures for 7 or 12 days. The abutting retinal pieces derived from animals of the same age (P5-P5; P60-P60) or of different ages (P0-P60; P5-P60). Retinal cells and fibers were visualized in wholemount preparations and in cross sections by immunocytochemistry using antibodies against neurofilament (NF+), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS+), and protein kinase C (PKC+) and by GFP fluorescence (GFP+).RESULTS:In side-by-side pairs (WT-WT, GFP-WT), numerous horizontal cell fibers (NF+) and amacrine cell fibers (NOS+) crossed the interface between the two pieces, forming continuous plexiform layers. In overlapping pairs, NF+, NOS+, and PKC+ fibers displayed parallel plexiform layers, and no crossover of fibers was observed in any of the pair combinations examined (WT-WT, GFP-WT, GFP-rd). Some integration was seen only in small areas where the structure of both retinal pieces was disrupted at the interface.CONCLUSIONS:The results demonstrate the ability of neurites to extend between abutting retinas and to make appropriate target choices when they are placed side-by-side. However, this ability is limited when they overlap each other, similar to that observed in subretinal transplantation.

Vasopressin (VP) is synthesized as propressophysin, containing also neurophysin (NP) and C-terminal glycopeptide (CPP), within the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system (HNS). Recently, VP and NP-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in other rat brain nuclei. Here we report CPP immunoreactivity in perikarya in these nuclei. Within the homozygous Brattleboro rat, known to be deficient in neuronal VP production, no CPP immunoreactivity was seen in these nuclei. However, intense VP and CPP immunoreactivity was present in solitary cells (52.2 ± 3.3per rat) and fibres within the HNS.

In the dorsal and ventral portions of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of the rat numerous cell bodies immunoreactive for vasopressin and neurophysin II were found after colchicin pretreatment. These cells are predominantly multipolar but sometimes also bipolar, and have a width and length of approximately 9 and 16 μm, respectively. In the homozygous Brattleboro rat, which is deficient in vasopressin, no immunoreactive vasopressin was found in these cells. Following incubation with anti-oxytocin and anti-bovine neurophysin I, only magnocellular immunoreactive cell bodies were found in the septal region. The consequences of these results concerning the vasopressin fiber pathways in the brain are discussed.

The hypoactivity in rats induced by small doses of apomorphine, injected bilaterally into the nucleus accumbens area of the brain, could be antagonized by pretreatment with the neuroleptic-like neuropeptide des-enkephalin-gamma-endorphin (DE gamma E, beta-endorphin 6-17) as well as with the neuroleptic drugs haloperidol, sulpiride and clozapine injected into the accumbens. Dose-response studies revealed that a dose of 100 pg DE gamma E completely inhibited the apomorphine-induced hypomotility. The influence of DE gamma E appeared to be specific for gamma-type endorphins, since alpha-type endorphins were inactive in this respect. Treatment with DE gamma E injected into the accumbens for 4 days resulted in an enhancement of apomorphine-induced hypoactivity. It is concluded that gamma-type endorphins may control the activity of dopaminergic transmission in the nucleus accumbens, a suggestion which may be of significance for the purported neuroleptic-like and antipsychotic action of gamma-type endorphins.