title: Müller glia as an active compartment modulating nervous activity in the vertebrate retina: neurotransmitters and trophic factors.
abstract: Müller cells represent the main type of glia present in the retina interacting with most, if not all neurons in this tissue. Müller cells have been claimed to function as optic fibers in the retina delivering light to photoreceptors with minimal distortion and low loss [Franze et al (2007) Proc Natl Acad Sci 104:8287-8292]. Most of the mediators found in the brain are also detected in the retinal tissue, and glia cells are active players in the synthesis, release, signaling and uptake of major mediators of synaptic function. Müller glia trophic factors may regulate many different aspects of neuronal circuitry during synaptogenesis, differentiation, neuroprotection and survival of photoreceptors, Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) and other targets in the retina. Here we review the role of several transmitters and trophic factors that participate in the neuron-glia loop in the retina.
authors.affiliation: Lab. Neurochemistry, Program in Neurobiology IBCCF, Sala C1-031, CCS, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro , 21949-900, Brazil. ramreis@biof.ufrj.br
authors.forename: Ricardo Augusto
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Melo Reis
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia Marques
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: Clarissa Sampaio
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Schitine
authors.forename: Maria Christina Fialho
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: de Mello
authors.forename: Fernando Garcia
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: de Mello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D011687:Purines / Q000378:metabolism; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011687:Purines; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D004298:Dopamine