The response of retinal ganglion cells to optical defocused visual stimuli in mouse retinas

This study aimed to investigate the response characteristics of Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs), represented by alpha (α) RGCs, when exposed to focused, simulated defocused pattern images and astigmatically defocused images projected onto mouse retinas. Negative pressure was applied to stretch the soma of RGC in vitro to simulate myopia using a 7-8 μm diameter glass microelectrode, resulting in a 5% increase in the cell's diameter. A custom-made device was utilized to project spherically (equal to ±10 and ± 20 D) and astigmatically (+6.00D) defocused images onto the retinas. As a control for a deficient intact retinal circuit, αRGCs of connexin 36 knockout (Cx36 KO) mice were used. αRGCs responded significantly differently in spikes, EPSCs and capacities under stretching status to mimic myopia. Significant differences in the amplitudes of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were observed in the majority of αRGCs when exposed to focused and spherically defocused images in normal and mechanically simulated myopic retinas. However, this difference was not observed in αRGCs of Cx36 KO mice. αRGCs demonstrated significant differences in response between focused and astigmatically defocused images. Once again, αRGCs of Cx36 KO mice did not display any differences. αRGCs have the ability to detect focused, spherically, and astigmatically defocused images and exhibit differential responses ex vivo. Gap junction subunit Cx36 may play a crucial role in transmitting visual...
Source: Experimental Eye Research - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Source Type: research