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Age-related decrease of potassium currents in glial (Müller) cells of the human retina
Andreas Bringmann1, Leon Kohen, Sebastian Wolf
1Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Clinic, University of Leipzig, Medical Faculty, Leipzig, Germany. bria@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Background:
Age-dependent alterations have been investigated far less in retinal glial cells than in retinal neurons. We investigated age-dependent alterations of inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) currents in Müller glial cells of the human retina.
Methods:
Müller cells were isolated immediately post mortem from donors without a reported history of eye disease, and the amplitudes of Kir currents and of currents through high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium channels were measured by whole-cell patch clamping.
Results:
The amplitude of the Kir currents was lower in the cells from donors older than 50 years than in the cells of younger donors; the decrease was strongly correlated with the donor's age (p < 0.001). The current amplitude in the cells from donors older than 60 years was about 40% lower than the amplitude in the cells from donors younger than 50 years. The amplitude of the HVA currents was greater in the cells from donors older than 55 years than in the cells from younger donors; the increase, up to about 500%, was strongly age-dependent (p < 0.001).
Interpretation:
The age-related decrease in Kir-current amplitude in Müller cells may reflect the neuron loss in the aged retina. Our findings also indicate that retinal glial cells have enhanced cytoplasmic calcium signals in the course of aging.
Insights
Aging human Müller glial cells show reduced inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) currents but increased high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium currents. These changes in retinal glial cells may reflect age-related neuronal loss and altered calcium signaling.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Retinal glial cells, specifically Müller cells, are less studied for age-related changes compared to retinal neurons.
- Investigating age-dependent alterations in Müller glial cells is crucial for understanding retinal aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-dependent alterations of inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) currents in Müller glial cells of the human retina.
- To examine changes in high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium channels in aging Müller cells.
Main Methods:
- Müller cells were isolated post mortem from human donors without eye disease history.
- Whole-cell patch clamping was used to measure Kir and HVA calcium channel currents.
Main Results:
- Kir current amplitude decreased significantly with age, showing a strong correlation (p < 0.001).
- Cells from donors >60 years had ~40% lower Kir currents than those <50 years.
- HVA calcium current amplitude significantly increased with age (p < 0.001), up to ~500% in older donors (>55 years).
Conclusions:
- The age-related decline in Kir currents in Müller cells may correlate with neuronal loss in the aging retina.
- Retinal glial cells exhibit enhanced cytoplasmic calcium signaling during aging.
