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Glia of the human retina

Andreas Reichenbach1, Andreas Bringmann2

  • 1Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.

Glia
|December 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The human retina has three glial cell types. This review details Müller cells in the fovea, highlighting their distinct roles in vision and development.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Ophthalmology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The human retina contains microglia, astrocytes, and Müller cells.
  • Macroglia (astrocytes and Müller cells) support photoreceptors and neurons.
  • The fovea, crucial for sharp vision, lacks astrocytes and microglia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the glia of the human retina.
  • To describe the structure and function of the two Müller cell types in the fovea.
  • To outline the roles of astrocytes and Müller cells in foveal development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of retinal glial cells.
  • Comparative analysis of Müller cell populations in the fovea.
  • Examination of glial contributions to foveal ontogeny.

Main Results:

  • Two distinct Müller cell populations exist in the fovea: foveolar cones and foveal wall cells.
  • Foveolar Müller cells provide structural support and enhance light transmission, unlike those in the periphery.
  • Astrocytes and Müller cells are integral to the ontogenetic development of the fovea.

Conclusions:

  • Müller cells exhibit specialized morphology and function within the fovea.
  • These glial cells play critical roles in maintaining foveal structure, function, and development.
  • Understanding retinal glia is essential for comprehending visual processing and disease.
Keywords:
Müller gliaastrogliadevelopmentfoveamicrogliapathologyretina

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