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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
An Ex Vivo Explant Model for Studying Glial Interactions in the Mouse Retina
Published on: July 15, 2025
K(+) currents fail to change in reactive retinal glial cells in a mouse model of glaucoma
Sylvia Bolz1, Frank Schuettauf, Julia E Fries
1Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 11, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Purpose:
To investigate the membrane physiology of Müller glial cells from retinae of DBA/2J mice (which develop ocular hypertension) and of C57BL/6 control mice of different ages.
Methods:
Retinae were obtained at the ages of 3, 6, and 12 months from DBA/2J mice and from C57BL/6 controls. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Whole-cell membrane currents, membrane potentials and capacitances were recorded from freshly isolated Müller cells.
Results:
Strong immunostaining for GFAP was found in Müller cells of 12-month-old DBA/2J mice, whereas only astrocytes were immunopositive in C57BL/6 retinae. No significant alterations of membrane currents or potentials of Müller cells from DBA/2J mice as compared to controls were observed at any age; however, the membrane capacitance was increased in Müller cells from DBA/2J mice at the age of 6 months.
Conclusions:
Although Müller cells of DBA/2J mice display some symptoms of reactive gliosis, the lack of significant alterations of the membrane physiology confirm previous data demonstrating that these cells undergo a nonproliferative gliosis.
Insights
Müller glial cells in DBA/2J mice with ocular hypertension show increased membrane capacitance but no significant changes in membrane currents or potentials, indicating nonproliferative gliosis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Müller glial cells are crucial for retinal function and homeostasis.
- DBA/2J mice are a model for studying age-related ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
- Reactive gliosis in Müller cells can impact retinal disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the membrane physiology of Müller glial cells in DBA/2J mice and C57BL/6 control mice.
- To investigate age-dependent changes in Müller cell membrane properties.
- To assess Müller cell response in the context of ocular hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Retinal tissue was collected from mice at 3, 6, and 12 months of age.
- Immunohistochemistry was used to detect glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).
- Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings measured membrane currents, potentials, and capacitances.
Main Results:
- DBA/2J mice showed increased GFAP immunostaining in Müller cells by 12 months, indicative of gliosis.
- No significant differences in membrane currents or potentials were found between DBA/2J and control mice.
- Müller cells from 6-month-old DBA/2J mice exhibited increased membrane capacitance.
Conclusions:
- Müller cells in DBA/2J mice display reactive gliosis without significant alterations in membrane electrophysiology.
- These findings support the concept of nonproliferative gliosis in this ocular hypertension model.
- Müller cell membrane capacitance changes may precede other physiological alterations in glaucoma models.
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