Retinal ganglion cell death during optic nerve regeneration in the frog Hyla moorei. 1985

M F Humphrey, and L D Beazley

In the frog Hyla moorei we have estimated there to be between approximately 450,000 and 750,000 cells in the retinal ganglion cell layer. Optic axon counts and retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) indicated that 72-76% of these were ganglion cells. Cells of this type were distributed as a temporally situated area centralis within a horizontal visual streak. Cell and optic axon counts showed that there was an approximately 40% loss of ganglion cells during optic nerve regeneration. Ganglion cells appeared chromatolysed by 6-8 days after an extracranial nerve crush but there was no indication of cell death until 15 days. By this stage anterograde transport of HRP indicated that axons had reached the chiasma. Death was first seen in the area centralis, extended along the streak, and finally was observed in the periphery by 65 days; cell counts demonstrated that at this time the wave of death was almost complete. We have previously shown by electrophysiological visual mapping (Humphrey and Beazley, '82) and confirmed in this study that visuotectal projections were retinotopically organized during regeneration. Multiunit receptive fields were initially large but progressively refined starting in nasal field (temporal retina) to restore a normal projection. The similar sequences whereby the visuotectal projection became refined and death took place in the retinal ganglion cell layer suggested that death may be related to a process of organization within the regenerating projection. In normal animals primary visual pathways revealed by anterograde transport of HRP were essentially similar to those of Rana pipiens and R. esculenta. Regenerating axons generally remained within optic pathways. Exceptions were a retinoretinal projection which was not completely withdrawn even after 1,028 days and a direct projection to the ipsilateral tectum via an inappropriate part of the optic tract.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009416 Nerve Regeneration Renewal or physiological repair of damaged nerve tissue. Nerve Tissue Regeneration,Nervous Tissue Regeneration,Neural Tissue Regeneration,Nerve Tissue Regenerations,Nervous Tissue Regenerations,Neural Tissue Regenerations,Regeneration, Nerve,Regeneration, Nerve Tissue,Regeneration, Nervous Tissue,Regeneration, Neural Tissue,Tissue Regeneration, Nerve,Tissue Regeneration, Nervous,Tissue Regeneration, Neural
D009900 Optic Nerve The 2nd cranial nerve which conveys visual information from the RETINA to the brain. The nerve carries the axons of the RETINAL GANGLION CELLS which sort at the OPTIC CHIASM and continue via the OPTIC TRACTS to the brain. The largest projection is to the lateral geniculate nuclei; other targets include the SUPERIOR COLLICULI and the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI. Though known as the second cranial nerve, it is considered part of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Cranial Nerve II,Second Cranial Nerve,Nervus Opticus,Cranial Nerve, Second,Cranial Nerves, Second,Nerve, Optic,Nerve, Second Cranial,Nerves, Optic,Nerves, Second Cranial,Optic Nerves,Second Cranial Nerves
D011898 Ranidae The family of true frogs of the order Anura. The family occurs worldwide except in Antarctica. Frogs, True,Rana,Frog, True,True Frog,True Frogs
D012160 Retina The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. Ora Serrata
D002452 Cell Count The number of CELLS of a specific kind, usually measured per unit volume or area of sample. Cell Density,Cell Number,Cell Counts,Cell Densities,Cell Numbers,Count, Cell,Counts, Cell,Densities, Cell,Density, Cell,Number, Cell,Numbers, Cell
D002470 Cell Survival The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability. Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D004594 Electrophysiology The study of the generation and behavior of electrical charges in living organisms particularly the nervous system and the effects of electricity on living organisms.
D006735 Horseradish Peroxidase An enzyme isolated from horseradish which is able to act as an antigen. It is frequently used as a histochemical tracer for light and electron microscopy. Its antigenicity has permitted its use as a combined antigen and marker in experimental immunology. Alpha-Peroxidase,Ferrihorseradish Peroxidase,Horseradish Peroxidase II,Horseradish Peroxidase III,Alpha Peroxidase,II, Horseradish Peroxidase,III, Horseradish Peroxidase,Peroxidase II, Horseradish,Peroxidase III, Horseradish,Peroxidase, Ferrihorseradish,Peroxidase, Horseradish
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001370 Axonal Transport The directed transport of ORGANELLES and molecules along nerve cell AXONS. Transport can be anterograde (from the cell body) or retrograde (toward the cell body). (Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 3d ed, pG3) Axoplasmic Flow,Axoplasmic Transport,Axoplasmic Streaming,Axonal Transports,Axoplasmic Flows,Axoplasmic Transports,Streaming, Axoplasmic,Transport, Axonal,Transport, Axoplasmic,Transports, Axonal,Transports, Axoplasmic

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