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In vivo characterization of astrocyte precursor cells (APCs) and astrocytes in developing rat retinae: Differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis
Author(s) -
ChanLing Tailoi,
Chu Yi,
Baxter Louise,
Weible II Michael,
Hughes Suzanne
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.20733
Subject(s) - astrocyte , biology , retina , microbiology and biotechnology , vimentin , cellular differentiation , neuroglia , glial fibrillary acidic protein , retinal , neural stem cell , precursor cell , embryonic stem cell , neuroscience , central nervous system , stem cell , immunology , cell , immunohistochemistry , biochemistry , gene
Purpose To characterize the timing of differentiation, antigenic expression, morphology, proliferative potential, and apoptosis during astrocyte differentiation in the rat retina in vivo . Methods Whole mounts of rat retinae from embryonic day (E) 13 to postnatal day (P) 21 and adults were examined utilizing combinations of Pax2, GFAP, vimentin, S100, and GS lectin. These markers were also combined with BrdU and TUNEL to identify proliferation and apoptosis of cells of the astrocytic lineage. Results Three distinct stages of astrocytic differentiation were identified: (i) Pax2 + /vimentin + /GFAP − astrocyte precursor cell (APC), (ii) Pax2 + /vimentin + /GFAP + immature perinatal astrocytes, and (iii) Pax2 + /vimentin − /GFAP + mature perinatal astrocytes. An earlier transient site of astrocyte generation was detected from E13 to E15 at the ventricular surface, but unlike the majority of retinal astrocytes that migrate into the retina starting at E15–E16, this ventricular source of retinal astrocytes were restricted to a small rim surrounding the optic nerve head. APCs and perinatal astrocytes were highly proliferative and migratory. Significant numbers of perinatal astrocytes were lost because of apoptosis, which was matched closely to the retraction of excess capillary segments during postnatal maturation of the retinal vasculature. Conclusions This study provides evidence of a second site of astrocyte generation at the ventricular zone early in embryonic development of the mammalian retinae. APCs are present from E16 to E20 only during perinatal development and are a highly migratory and proliferative cell. As the retina is considered a part of the central nervous system (CNS), this is the first in vivo characterization of cells of the astrocytic lineage in mammalian CNS development. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.