Oligodendroglia in the avian retina: immunocytochemical demonstration in the adult bird.
Immunohistochemical techniques were used in conjunction with an avian-specific probe for oligodendrocyte (OLG) marker, the antibody for transferrin binding protein (TfBP), to study the characteristics and distribution of OLGs in the retina of chickens and quails. For comparison, other antibodies such as myelin basic protein, Rip, and those for labeling Müller cells and microglia were used. A large population of OLGs was found to be distributed throughout the retina, with the distinct pattern of a central-to-peripheral gradient. It was possible to detect a spectrum of OLG morphology that bore a resemblance to the subtype of the mammalian central nervous system. In addition to these mature OLGs, limited numbers of TfBP-positive (TfBP(+)) cells with the morphology of immature OLGs were found in the immediate vicinity of the optic head. The majority of OLGs appeared in the ganglion cell layer throughout the retina, whereas OLGs in the nerve fiber layer were seen mainly in the central zone of the retina, near the optic nerve head. Double-labeling experiments showed that OLGs were associated with myelin only in the central region, where the majority of retinal OLGs occurred, but not toward the periphery of the retina. The present study is the first comprehensive analysis of the morphological features and spatial distribution of OLGs in the adult avian retina and provides in vivo evidence for the existence of a substantial population of both mature and immature OLGs in the retina of adult birds. The putative functions of TfBP(+) OLGs including myelination and the tropic role of the ganglion cells are discussed in conjunction with the physical properties of TfBP and structural characteristics of the avascular retina of birds.
Seo
J H
JH
Department of Anatomy, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Haam
Y G
YG
Park
S W
SW
Kim
D W
DW
Jeon
G S
GS
Lee
C
C
Hwang
D H
DH
Kim
Y S
YS
Cho
S S
SS
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology*; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D033862:Iron-Binding Proteins; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011784:Quail / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D033863:Transferrin-Binding Proteins; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D033862:Iron-Binding Proteins; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D011506:Proteins; D033863:Transferrin-Binding Proteins; D014746:Vimentin