Cytochemical studies on pathological Müller cells after argon laser photocoagulation

The cytochemical localization of G6Pase activity, which is specific to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of Müller cells, was studied after argon laser photocoagulation in the guinea pig retina. After argon laser radiation, Müller cells exhibited enlargement of the cytoplasm, an increase of reactive ER and the nuclei, dislocation of the nuclei and diagonal stretching of the cytoplasm. However, cell attachment between Müller cells and the proliferated pigment epithelial cells or Bruch's membrane differed with the degree of retinal coagulation. This histo- and cytochemical method may be useful for examining Müller cells under various pathological conditions.