Prenatal development of calbindin D-28K and parvalbumin immunoreactivities in the human retina.
Two calcium binding proteins, calbindin D-28K (CB) and parvalbumin (PV),immunoreactivities were examined by immunocytochemistry in the retinas of human fetuses aged from 13 weeks (W) of gestation to term. CB- and PV-immunoreactive products were both detectable at 13 W and appeared in all layers in a roughly inside-out order by 24 W. PV-immunostaining occurred in virtually all ganglion cells, most horizontal cells, and a few amacrine cells. CB-immunoreactivity was found in most amacrine cells and some horizontal cells, and a subset of cells in the ganglion cell layer that were more frequent in the nasal than the temporal retina at 13-15 W. Bipolar cells were distinctly immunostained for CB by 24 W. Foveal cones showed faint CB labeling by 24 W and intense staining at 32 W. The patterns of CB- and PV-immunoreactivities by birth were similar to those at 32 W with the addition of faint CB-immunolabeling occurring beyond the fovea in the photoreceptors. A stronger expression of CB was seen in the nasal side of the optic nerve head from 13-24 W, peaking at 15 W. The results indicate that CB and PV expression in ganglion cells and inner nuclear layer neurons proceeds in parallel with their somal and process differentiation, suggesting a possible role for these proteins in neuronal maturation. The early expression of PV and CB in ganglion cell axons might be related to optic nerve outgrowth, including path-finding at the optic chiasm. CB expression in cones and other cells in the fovea may indicate that it is involved in foveal formation that occurs during the perinatal period.
Yan
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John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132, USA. xyan@uci.edu
D064026:Calbindins; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry; D010320:Parvalbumins / Q000032:analysis*; D012160:Retina / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000032:analysis*; D013045:Species Specificity
D064026:Calbindins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005326:Fetal Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010320:Parvalbumins; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G