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Vibratome Sectioning Mouse Retina to Prepare Photoreceptor Cultures
Published on: December 22, 2014
Abnormal retinal development in the Btrc null mouse.
Mark Baguma-Nibasheka1, Boris Kablar
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine, Halifax, Canada.
Summary
Beta-transducin repeat containing (Btrc) plays a crucial role in retinal cell fate determination. Btrc deficiency in mice leads to the absence of cholinergic amacrine cells and altered retinal cell ratios.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Microarray analysis indicated beta-transducin repeat containing (Btrc) downregulation in retinas lacking cholinergic amacrine cells (CACs).
- This downregulation was linked to the absence of skeletal musculature and fetal ocular movements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Btrc in the determination of retinal cell fate.
- To examine retinal morphology in Btrc knockout (Btrc-/-) mouse fetuses.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of Btrc-/- mouse retinas.
- Analysis of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell type populations.
Main Results:
- Btrc-/- retinas exhibited normal layering, cell numbers per layer, proliferation, and apoptosis.
- A complete absence of CACs and a decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase-expressing amacrine cells were observed.
- A reduction in retinal ganglion cells and an increase in their progenitors were noted, alongside decreased precursor cells.
Conclusions:
- Btrc is essential for normal retinal cell fate determination.
- Btrc influences the final ratio of differentiated retinal cell types, particularly affecting amacrine and ganglion cells.
