Long-term in vivo imaging and measurement of dendritic shrinkage of retinal ganglion cells

Christopher Kai-Shun Leung*, Robert N. Weinreb, Zhi Wei Li, Shu Liu, James D. Lindsey, Nathan Choi, Lan Liu, Carol Yim-lui Cheung, Cong Ye, Kunliang Qiu, Li Jia Chen, Wing Ho Yung, Jonathan G. Crowston, Mingliang Pu, Kwok Fai So, Chi Pui Pang, Dennis Shun Chiu Lam

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

103 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

PURPOSE. To monitor and measure dendritic shrinkage of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in a strain of transgenic mice (Thy-1 YFP) that expresses yellow fluorescent proteins in neurons under the control of a Thy-1 promoter. METHODS. A total of 125 RGCs from 16 eyes of Thy-1 YFP transgenic mice were serially imaged with a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope for 6 months after optic nerve crush. Quantitative analysis of cell body area, axon diameter, dendritic field, number of terminal branches, total dendritic branch length, branching complexity, symmetry, and distance from the optic disc was used to characterize the morphology of RGCs, describe the patterns of axonal and dendritic degeneration, identify the morphologic predictors for cell survival, and estimate the rate of dendritic shrinkage. RESULTS. RGC damage was observed prospectively to begin with progressive dendritic shrinkage, followed by loss of the axon and the cell body. In a small proportion of RGCs, progressive axonal changes including fragmentation, beading, retraction, and bulb formation were also observed. RGCs with a larger dendritic field and a longer total dendritic branch length in general have a better survival probability. The rate of dendritic shrinkage was variable with a slower rate observed in cells having a larger dendritic field, a longer total dendritic branch length, and a greater distance from the optic disc. CONCLUSIONS. Estimating the probability of RGC survival and measuring the rate of dendritic shrinkage could become a new paradigm for investigating neuronal degeneration and evaluating the response of neuroprotective treatment. © 2011 The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1539-1547
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume52
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2011
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

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Funding

Supported by a CUHK research grant and the Glaucoma Foundation.

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