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Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Glutamate and Hypoxia as a Stress Model for the Isolated Perfused Vertebrate Retina
Published on: March 22, 2015
Neuroprotective effect of Myo/Nog cells in the stressed retina
Arturo Bravo-Nuevo1, Alice A Brandli2, Jacquelyn Gerhart3
1Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA, USA.
Abstract:
Myo/Nog cells are essential for eye development in the chick embryo and respond to injury in adult tissues. These cells express mRNA for the skeletal muscle specific transcription factor MyoD, the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) inhibitor Noggin and the cell surface protein recognized by the G8 monoclonal antibody (mAb). In this study, we determined that Myo/Nog cells are present in low numbers in the retina of the mouse eye. G8-positive Myo/Nog cells were distinguished from neuronal, Müller and microglial cells that were identified with antibodies to calretinin, Chx10, glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1, respectively. In the neonatal retina, the number of Myo/Nog cells increased in parallel with cell death induced by transient exposure to hyperoxia. In this model of retinopathy of prematurity, depletion of Myo/Nog cells by intravitreal injection of the G8 mAb and complement increased cell death. These findings demonstrate that Myo/Nog cells are a distinct population of cells, not previously described in the retina, which increases in response to retinal damage and mitigate hypoxia-induced cell death.
Insights
Newly identified Myo/Nog cells in the mouse retina increase after injury. These cells protect against hypoxia-induced cell death, suggesting a novel role in retinal damage and repair.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Myo/Nog cells are crucial for chick eye development and adult tissue repair.
- These cells express MyoD, Noggin, and a G8 epitope, indicating specific molecular markers.
- Their presence and function in the mammalian retina were previously undescribed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of Myo/Nog cells in the mouse retina.
- To determine the role of Myo/Nog cells in retinal response to injury, specifically in a model of retinopathy of prematurity.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry using antibodies against MyoD, Noggin, G8 mAb, calretinin, Chx10, GFAP, and Iba1.
- Induction of neonatal retinal injury via hyperoxia.
- Depletion of Myo/Nog cells using G8 mAb and complement.
Main Results:
- Myo/Nog cells were identified as a distinct population in the mouse retina, separate from neuronal, Müller, and microglial cells.
- Their numbers increased in the neonatal retina following hyperoxia-induced cell death.
- Depletion of Myo/Nog cells exacerbated cell death in a retinopathy of prematurity model.
Conclusions:
- Myo/Nog cells represent a novel cell type in the mammalian retina.
- These cells are responsive to retinal damage and play a protective role against hypoxia-induced cell death.
- Myo/Nog cells may be a therapeutic target for retinal diseases involving cell death.
