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Foveal Retinal Ganglion Cells Develop Altered Calcium Dynamics Weeks After Photoreceptor Ablation
Zhengyang Xu1, Karteek Kunala2, Peter Murphy1
1Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.
Ophthalmology Science
|June 17, 2024
Summary
Physiological changes in primate retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) occur after photoreceptor (PR) loss, with altered calcium dynamics observed weeks after PR ablation. Optogenetic reactivation of RGCs remains possible even years post-PR loss.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Biology
Background:
- Rodent models show physiological changes in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following photoreceptor (PR) loss.
- Such changes in primates have not been previously investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate physiological changes in primate RGCs after PR loss.
- To assess the possibility of RGC reactivation in vivo after PR loss.
Main Methods:
- Used an in vivo calcium imaging approach in macaques with PR ablation.
- Optogenetically stimulated RGCs and recorded GCaMP fluorescence longitudinally over 10 weeks and up to 2.3 years post-ablation.
Main Results:
- A 1.5- to 2.1-fold decrease in the mean decay constant of optogenetically-mediated calcium responses in RGCs was observed within weeks of PR ablation.
- Calcium rise time and sensitivity index remained stable.
- Optogenetic reactivation of RGCs was feasible more than 2 years after PR loss.
Conclusions:
- Primate foveal RGCs exhibit altered calcium dynamics in the weeks following PR ablation.
- These findings represent the first report of such changes in primate retina.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of these dynamic changes in RGC survival and activity.
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