Cell differentiation, synaptogenesis, and influence of the retinal pigment epithelium in a rat neonatal organotypic retina culture.
This study was focused on the analysis of cell type differentiation and synaptogenesis as well as outer segment formation in an organotypic culture of the neonatal rat retina during a 6-14 day period of in vitro development. Moreover, the effects of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) on these processes were investigated. The in vitro development resulted in a retinal architecture and lamination comparable to that of in vivo retinas. The RPE influences the proper alignment of photoreceptors as well as the formation of the outer limiting membrane (OLM), but not processes of cell differentiation, synaptogenesis and inner retinal lamination.
Pinzón-Duarte
G
G
Department of Pathophysiology of Vision and Neuro-Ophthalmology, Experimental Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, Röntgenweg 11, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Kohler
K
K
Arango-González
B
B
Guenther
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D023421:Models, Animal; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000254:growth & development; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011914:Rats, Inbred BN; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*