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Physiology and pathophysiology of the retinal neuroglia

Antje Grosche1, Jens Grosche2, Alexei Verkhratsky3

  • 1Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|March 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Retinal neuroglia, including Müller glia, play crucial roles in vision and retinal health. Their complex changes in disease impact the progression and outcome of retinal disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The retina contains Müller glia, astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes.
  • Müller glia are the most abundant retinal glia, essential for retinal structure and function.
  • These cells act as light guides and integrate retinal neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the roles of retinal neuroglia in normal and pathological conditions.
  • To highlight the significance of Müller glia in retinal organization and function.
  • To discuss the implications of glial changes in retinal disease progression.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on retinal neuroglia.
  • Analysis of glial functions in healthy and diseased retinas.
  • Examination of pathological changes in retinal glia, including reactive gliosis.

Main Results:

  • Müller glia are vital for retinal homeostasis, neuronal integration, and light transmission.
  • Retinal neuroglia exhibit significant changes during disease, such as neuroprotection and reactive gliosis.
  • These glial responses influence the overall outcome of retinal disorders.

Conclusions:

  • Retinal neuroglia, particularly Müller glia, are critical for maintaining retinal integrity and function.
  • Understanding glial responses in pathology is key to comprehending and potentially treating retinal diseases.
  • The dynamic balance of glial changes dictates the course of retinal disorders.
Keywords:
AstrocyteMicrogliaMüller gliaOligodendrocyteRetinaVision

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