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CD44 expression in the developing human retina
S Nishina1, A Hirakata, T Hida
1Department of Ophthalmology, National Children's Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
CD44 expression in the human retina begins late in fetal development, appearing on Müller cells and astrocytes. This molecule is crucial for neural retina development and maintenance throughout life.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- CD44, a transmembrane adhesion molecule, is present in the fetal brain and involved in neuroglial interactions.
- Its role in the developing human retina has not been fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and distribution of CD44 in the developing human retina.
- To understand the role of CD44 in retinal development and homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of human retinal tissues from 6 weeks gestation to adulthood using CD44 antibodies.
- Evaluation of co-expression with vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).
- Light and electron microscopy were employed for detailed analysis.
Main Results:
- CD44 expression was first detected at 21 weeks gestation in longitudinal fibers and around capillaries.
- Co-expression with vimentin and GFAP was observed simultaneously with CD44.
- Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed CD44 presence on Müller cells and astrocytes, with notable expression in astrocytes in infant and adult retinas.
Conclusions:
- CD44 is expressed in Müller cells late in fetal development.
- CD44 is present in fetal, infant, and adult astrocytes.
- CD44 likely plays a significant role in the morphogenesis and homeostasis of the neural retina.
Background:
CD44, the transmembrane adhesion molecule, is expressed in the fetal brain and supposed to mediate neuroglial, interactions. We evaluated the expression and distribution of CD44 in the developing human retina.
Methods:
Four developing human eyes were evaluated at 6, 10, 16, and 21 weeks of gestation, as well as the eyes of one infant and four adults. Frozen sections were immunohistochemically stained with monoclonal antibodies to three human CD44 clones (BU52, F10-44-2, and DF1485) and to vimentin, and antiserum to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Specimens were evaluated by light and electron microscopy.
Results:
Positive immunostaining for CD44 was first detected at 21 weeks of gestation in the longitudinal fibers that extended from the inner to the outer limiting membrane and around capillary vessels with the simultaneous expression of vimentin and GFAP. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated the presence of CD44 on the surface of Müller cells and astrocytes. CD44 was faintly seen in the Müller cells in the periphery and definitely present in the astrocytes in the infant and adult retinas.
Conclusion:
CD44 was expressed in Müller cells at a late stage of fetal development and in the fetal, infant, and adult astrocytes, which suggests that it is important in the morphogenesis and homeostasis of the neural retina.