FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Glia1988; 1(1); 74-89; doi: 10.1002/glia.440010109

Astrocytes in the guinea pig, horse, and monkey retina: their occurrence coincides with the presence of blood vessels.

Abstract: In the present study the distribution of astrocytes in the nerve fiber layer (NFL) has been studied in the sparsely vascularized retinae of the guinea pig and horse and in the richly vascularized retina of the Old World monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) using immunocytochemical methods. In the guinea pig retina glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes could not be detected. They were found, however, in the myelinated region of the optic nerve. The optic nerve head and a small retinal region immediately adjacent to it contained few vimentin-positive astrocytes. Histological sections confirmed the restriction of astrocytes to a small retinal region and showed that this is also the only retinal area that is vascularized. Astrocytes showing GFAP and vimentin immunoreactivity were absent from most of the horse retina. They were found only in a narrow zone close to the optic disc, which is also the only region of the horse retina that is vascularized. Thus, as in the rabbit retina (Schnitzer: J. Comp. Neurol. 240:128-142, 1985), in the guinea pig and horse retina astrocytes are not present ubiquitously in the NFL but coexist with blood vessels. In the monkey retina, GFAP-positive astrocytes were found ubiquitously in the NFL. Astrocytes were absent from the avascular foveal region only. It is suggested that the concurrence of retinal astrocytes and intraretinal vascularization may be a feature common to many, if not all, mammalian species.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 1988-01-01 PubMed ID: 2976740DOI: 10.1002/glia.440010109Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The article researches the connection between the occurrence of astrocytes in the nerve fiber layer of the retina and the presence of blood vessels in guinea pigs, horses, and monkeys. It finds that in these animal species, astrocytes and blood vessels tend to exist in the same areas, suggesting a common feature across many, if not all, mammalian species.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed at understanding the distribution of astrocytes, a type of glial cell, in the nerve fiber layer (NFL) of the retina in guinea pigs, horses, and Old World monkeys.
  • The researchers used immunocytochemical methods to investigate the astrocytic location in these animals.

Findings

  • In the guinea pig retina, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes were absent. However, they were detected in the myelinated region of the optic nerve.
  • The optic nerve head and a small region adjacent to it contained a limited number of vimentin-positive astrocytes. This area was the only one in the guinea pig retina that displayed vascularisation.
  • The horse retina showed a similar pattern, with astrocytes being found only in a narrow zone near the optic disc, the only area that showed vascularisation.
  • The monkey retina presented a different scenario, where GFAP-positive astrocytes were ubiquitous in the NFL, with an absence only in the avascular foveal region.
  • Such findings led to the conclusion that in these species, and perhaps in many other mammalian ones, astrocytes are not uniformly present throughout the NFL but tend to coexist with blood vessels.

Implication of the Study

  • The concurrence of astrocytes and intraretinal vascularization may not be a random occurrence, but a feature common to mammals. This could provide insight into the functions of these cells and their potential role in retinal health and disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Schnitzer J. (1988). Astrocytes in the guinea pig, horse, and monkey retina: their occurrence coincides with the presence of blood vessels. Glia, 1(1), 74-89. https://doi.org/10.1002/glia.440010109

Publication

Glia
ISSN: 0894-1491
NlmUniqueID: 8806785
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Pages: 74-89

Researcher Affiliations

Schnitzer, J
  • Max-Planck-Institut für Hirnforschung, Abteilung Neuroanatomie, Frankfurt a.M. Federal Republic of Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / cytology
  • Blood Vessels / cytology
  • Cercopithecus / anatomy & histology
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / analysis
  • Guinea Pigs / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Mammals / anatomy & histology
  • Retina / blood supply
  • Retina / cytology
  • Species Specificity

Citations

This article has been cited 32 times.
  1. Paisley CE, Sakers K, Nagendren L, Chen X, Mazzoni F, Finnemann SC, Eroglu C, Kay JN. Phosphatidylserine exposure by developing astrocytes initiates microglia-mediated developmental cell death. bioRxiv 2026 Jan 21;.
    doi: 10.64898/2026.01.20.700660pubmed: 41648358google scholar: lookup
  2. Kay JN, Valdez-Lopez JC, Dembla EM, Miltner AM. Development of Retinal Astroglia. Annu Rev Vis Sci 2025 Sep;11(1):73-98.
    doi: 10.1146/annurev-vision-121423-013153pubmed: 40614080google scholar: lookup
  3. Medina-Arellano AE, Albert-Garay JS, Medina-Sánchez T, Fonseca KH, Ruiz-Cruz M, Ochoa-de la Paz L. Müller cells and retinal angiogenesis: critical regulators in health and disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2024;18:1513686.
    doi: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1513686pubmed: 39720707google scholar: lookup
  4. Sheng X, Zhang C, Zhao J, Xu J, Zhang P, Ding Q, Zhang J. Microvascular destabilization and intricated network of the cytokines in diabetic retinopathy: from the perspective of cellular and molecular components. Cell Biosci 2024 Jun 27;14(1):85.
    doi: 10.1186/s13578-024-01269-7pubmed: 38937783google scholar: lookup
  5. Gnanaguru G, Tabor SJ, Bonilla GM, Sadreyev R, Yuda K, Köhl J, Connor KM. Microglia refine developing retinal astrocytic and vascular networks through the complement C3/C3aR axis. Development 2023 Mar 1;150(5).
    doi: 10.1242/dev.201047pubmed: 36762625google scholar: lookup
  6. Paisley CE, Kay JN. Seeing stars: Development and function of retinal astrocytes. Dev Biol 2021 Oct;478:144-154.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.07.007pubmed: 34260962google scholar: lookup
  7. Lorenz L, Hirmer S, Schmalen A, Hauck SM, Deeg CA. Cell Surface Profiling of Retinal Müller Glial Cells Reveals Association to Immune Pathways after LPS Stimulation. Cells 2021 Mar 23;10(3).
    doi: 10.3390/cells10030711pubmed: 33806940google scholar: lookup
  8. Pan WW, Lin F, Fort PE. The innate immune system in diabetic retinopathy. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021 Sep;84:100940.
    doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.100940pubmed: 33429059google scholar: lookup
  9. Cheung H, King BJ, Gast TJ. Presumed activated retinal astrocytes and Müller cells in healthy and glaucomatous eyes detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2020 Nov;40(6):738-751.
    doi: 10.1111/opo.12731pubmed: 32885879google scholar: lookup
  10. Falero-Perez J, Song YS, Sorenson CM, Sheibani N. CYP1B1: A key regulator of redox homeostasis. Trends Cell Mol Biol 2018;13:27-45.
    pubmed: 30894785
  11. Falero-Perez J, Sorenson CM, Sheibani N. Cyp1b1-deficient retinal astrocytes are more proliferative and migratory and are protected from oxidative stress and inflammation. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019 Jun 1;316(6):C767-C781.
    doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00021.2019pubmed: 30892936google scholar: lookup
  12. Garcia-Pradas L, Gleiser C, Wizenmann A, Wolburg H, Mack AF. Glial Cells in the Fish Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Form Tight Junctions, Separating and Surrounding Axons. Front Mol Neurosci 2018;11:367.
    doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00367pubmed: 30364233google scholar: lookup
  13. Oliveira-Souza FG, DeRamus ML, van Groen T, Lambert AE, Bolding MS, Strang CE. Retinal changes in the Tg-SwDI mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Neuroscience 2017 Jun 23;354:43-53.
    doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.04.021pubmed: 28450267google scholar: lookup
  14. Gleiser C, Wagner A, Fallier-Becker P, Wolburg H, Hirt B, Mack AF. Aquaporin-4 in Astroglial Cells in the CNS and Supporting Cells of Sensory Organs-A Comparative Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2016 Aug 26;17(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ijms17091411pubmed: 27571065google scholar: lookup
  15. Yu Y, Chen H, Su SB. Neuroinflammatory responses in diabetic retinopathy. J Neuroinflammation 2015 Aug 7;12:141.
    doi: 10.1186/s12974-015-0368-7pubmed: 26245868google scholar: lookup
  16. Zigler JS Jr, Sinha D. βA3/A1-crystallin: more than a lens protein. Prog Retin Eye Res 2015 Jan;44:62-85.
    doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2014.11.002pubmed: 25461968google scholar: lookup
  17. Rosenstein RE, Fernandez DC. Induction of ischemic tolerance as a promising treatment against diabetic retinopathy. Neural Regen Res 2014 Sep 1;9(17):1581-4.
    doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.141782pubmed: 25368643google scholar: lookup
  18. Fischer AJ, Zelinka C, Milani-Nejad N. Reactive retinal microglia, neuronal survival, and the formation of retinal folds and detachments. Glia 2015 Feb;63(2):313-27.
    doi: 10.1002/glia.22752pubmed: 25231952google scholar: lookup
  19. Yao H, Wang T, Deng J, Liu D, Li X, Deng J. The development of blood-retinal barrier during the interaction of astrocytes with vascular wall cells. Neural Regen Res 2014 May 15;9(10):1047-54.
    doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.133169pubmed: 25206758google scholar: lookup
  20. von Toerne C, Menzler J, Ly A, Senninger N, Ueffing M, Hauck SM. Identification of a novel neurotrophic factor from primary retinal Müller cells using stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC). Mol Cell Proteomics 2014 Sep;13(9):2371-81.
    doi: 10.1074/mcp.M113.033613pubmed: 24925906google scholar: lookup
  21. Uemura A. Identification of novel drug targets for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes Metab J 2013 Aug;37(4):217-24.
    doi: 10.4093/dmj.2013.37.4.217pubmed: 23991398google scholar: lookup
  22. Sinha D, Valapala M, Bhutto I, Patek B, Zhang C, Hose S, Yang F, Cano M, Stark WJ, Lutty GA, Zigler JS, Wawrousek EF. βA3/A1-crystallin is required for proper astrocyte template formation and vascular remodeling in the retina. Transgenic Res 2012 Oct;21(5):1033-42.
    doi: 10.1007/s11248-012-9608-0pubmed: 22427112google scholar: lookup
  23. Fernandez DC, Sande PH, Chianelli MS, Aldana Marcos HJ, Rosenstein RE. Induction of ischemic tolerance protects the retina from diabetic retinopathy. Am J Pathol 2011 May;178(5):2264-74.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.01.040pubmed: 21514439google scholar: lookup
  24. Scott A, Powner MB, Gandhi P, Clarkin C, Gutmann DH, Johnson RS, Ferrara N, Fruttiger M. Astrocyte-derived vascular endothelial growth factor stabilizes vessels in the developing retinal vasculature. PLoS One 2010 Jul 29;5(7):e11863.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011863pubmed: 20686684google scholar: lookup
  25. Fischer AJ, Zelinka C, Scott MA. Heterogeneity of glia in the retina and optic nerve of birds and mammals. PLoS One 2010 Jun 17;5(6):e10774.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010774pubmed: 20567503google scholar: lookup
  26. Sinha D, Klise A, Sergeev Y, Hose S, Bhutto IA, Hackler L Jr, Malpic-Llanos T, Samtani S, Grebe R, Goldberg MF, Hejtmancik JF, Nath A, Zack DJ, Fariss RN, McLeod DS, Sundin O, Broman KW, Lutty GA, Zigler JS Jr. betaA3/A1-crystallin in astroglial cells regulates retinal vascular remodeling during development. Mol Cell Neurosci 2008 Jan;37(1):85-95.
    doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2007.08.016pubmed: 17931883google scholar: lookup
  27. Emsley JG, Macklis JD. Astroglial heterogeneity closely reflects the neuronal-defined anatomy of the adult murine CNS. Neuron Glia Biol 2006 Aug;2(3):175-86.
    doi: 10.1017/S1740925X06000202pubmed: 17356684google scholar: lookup
  28. Uemura A, Kusuhara S, Wiegand SJ, Yu RT, Nishikawa S. Tlx acts as a proangiogenic switch by regulating extracellular assembly of fibronectin matrices in retinal astrocytes. J Clin Invest 2006 Feb;116(2):369-77.
    doi: 10.1172/JCI25964pubmed: 16424942google scholar: lookup
  29. Sandmann D, Boycott BB, Peichl L. Blue-cone horizontal cells in the retinae of horses and other equidae. J Neurosci 1996 May 15;16(10):3381-96.
    doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.16-10-03381.1996pubmed: 8627374google scholar: lookup
  30. Gábriel R, Wilhelm M, Straznicky C. Morphology and distribution of Müller cells in the retina of the toad Bufo marinus. Cell Tissue Res 1993 Apr;272(1):183-92.
    doi: 10.1007/BF00323585pubmed: 8481951google scholar: lookup
  31. Mizrachi Y, Naranjo JR, Levi BZ, Pollard HB, Lelkes PI. PC12 cells differentiate into chromaffin cell-like phenotype in coculture with adrenal medullary endothelial cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1990 Aug;87(16):6161-5.
    doi: 10.1073/pnas.87.16.6161pubmed: 2117274google scholar: lookup
  32. Sarthy PV, Fu M, Huang J. Developmental expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene in the mouse retina. Cell Mol Neurobiol 1991 Dec;11(6):623-37.
    doi: 10.1007/BF00741450pubmed: 1723659google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,850 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.