Review
Clinical Neurology
Ludovic S. Mure
Summary: This article discusses the profound impact of light on health, particularly emphasizing the role of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in non-image-forming vision. Progress in understanding human ipRGCs, including their morphology, function, and gene expression, could provide insights into how light is perceived by the human eye and aid in developing light-based therapeutic interventions. Further research on ipRGCs is critical for identifying therapeutic approaches and improving cognitive performance, mood, and quality of life through precise light usage recommendations.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcos L. Aranda, Tiffany M. Schmidt
Summary: The discovery of ipRGCs has shed light on their diverse roles in various visual functions and behaviors, such as regulating circadian rhythms, driving pupillary light reflex, and modulating mood and alertness. The presence of melanopsin as a unique molecular signature has enabled the development of molecular and genetic tools for studying ipRGC circuits.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Wei Zhou, Li-Qin Wang, Yu-Qi Shao, Xu Han, Chen-Xi Yu, Fei Yuan, Xin Wang, Shi-Jun Weng, Yong-Mei Zhong, Xiong-Li Yang
Summary: This study demonstrates the modulation of pupillary light response in mice by the neuropeptide orexin, specifically through enhancing pupillary constriction by influencing M2 cells. Orexin-A increases the intrinsic excitability of M2 cells by activating OX(1)Rs, ultimately improving the visual performance in mice.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Sushmitha Raja, Nina Milosavljevic, Annette E. Allen, Morven A. Cameron
Summary: Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) are photoreceptors located in the ganglion cell layer. They possess intrinsic photosensitivity through melanopsin and receive inputs from rods and cones. They regulate inner and outer retinal circuitry through chemical and electrical synapses, influence ganglion cell outputs, and play a vital role in the processing of image-forming vision. This research has important implications for lighting design and ocular dysfunctions.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuan Wang, Wenzhi Yang, Pingping Zhang, Zhengxia Ding, Liecheng Wang, Juan Cheng
Summary: This study investigated the role of melanopsin in light-induced sleep in rodents using melanopsin knockout mice and melanopsin-only mice. The results showed that melanopsin significantly affects REM and NREM sleep, indicating the important role of ipRGCs in light-induced sleep in mice.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Natalia Ziolkowska, Bogdan Lewczuk, Natalia Szyrynska, Aleksandra Rawicka, Alla Vyniarska
Summary: This study examined the impact of low-intensity blue light on the albino Wistar rat retina, specifically the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). Different exposure patterns of blue light were tested, and the results showed that prolonged exposure to low-intensity blue light caused damage to the retinas of the rats. This damage included decreased dendrite length, reduced immunoreactivity, changes in dendritic arborization, increased GFAP immunoreactivity, and apoptosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrea S. Bordt, Sara S. Patterson, James A. Kuchenbecker, Marcus A. Mazzaferri, Joel N. Yearick, Emma R. Yang, Judith Mosinger Ogilvie, Jay Neitz, David W. Marshak
Summary: Ganglion cells are the projection neurons of the retina. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) express melanopsin and receive input from rods, cones, bipolar cells, and amacrine cells. Displaced ipRGCs with somas in the inner nuclear layer receive input from ON and OFF bipolar cells, as well as amacrine cells, and are expected to have ON or OFF responses to light stimuli.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chi-Chan Lee, Feng Liang, I-Chi Lee, Tsung-Hao Lu, Yu-Yau Shan, Chih-Fan Jeng, Yan-Fang Zou, Hon-Tsen Yu, Shih-Kuo Chen (Alen)
Summary: Gut microbiota can be modulated by external light-dark cycle information from the brain to the gut, affecting the composition and relative abundance of gut microbiota's daily oscillations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lujing Chen, Guang Li, Zheng Jiang, King-Wai Yau
Summary: Nonimage-forming vision in mammals is mediated primarily by melanopsin-expressing ipRGCs. The study reveals that in M1-ipRGCs, melanopsin activates phospholipase C-β4 to open TRPC6 and TRPC7 channels, while in M2 and M4-ipRGCs, cyclic nucleotide-mediated phototransduction activates hyperpolarization and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels. Additionally, it is found that the upstream G protein is Gq, which directly activates adenylyl cyclase (AC) for signaling.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jingyi Gao, Erin M. Griner, Mingna Liu, Joanna Moy, Ignacio Provencio, Xiaorong Liu
Summary: This study investigates the survival of specific types of retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and their associated functional deficits in glaucoma. The findings suggest that different subtypes of ipRGCs are differently affected by chronic ocular hypertension, with M4 ipRGCs involved in pattern vision being susceptible to the disease. This leads to reduced contrast sensitivity and visual acuity in mice with chronic ocular hypertension. On the other hand, M1 ipRGCs responsible for regulating circadian rhythmicity show minimal cell loss and therefore do not disrupt circadian re-entrainment in glaucomatous mice.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wei-Yi Chen, Xu Han, Ling-Jie Cui, Chen-Xi Yu, Wen-Long Sheng, Jun Yu, Fei Yuan, Yong-Mei Zhong, Xiong-Li Yang, Shi-Jun Weng
Summary: Recent evidence shows that in diabetic mice, M1 ipRGCs remain unchanged while M2/M3 ipRGCs undergo significant remodeling. The resistance of M1 cells may be due to their proximity to capillaries, which protects them from the early stage retinal blood supply impairment.
Article
Ophthalmology
Krystal R. Harrison, Andrew P. Chervenak, Sarah M. Resnick, Aaron N. Reifler, Kwoon Y. Wong
Summary: Our study revealed that different types of ipRGCs are coupled with amacrine cells, potentially exerting diverse modulatory effects on retinal physiology through various neuromodulators. Gap junctional ipRGC-to-amacrine signaling is mediated partly by Cx36.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yanghui Sheng, Lujing Chen, Xiaozhi Ren, Zheng Jiang, King-Wai Yau
Summary: Intrinsically-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) express melanopsin to detect ambient irradiance for non-image-forming visual functions, with the M1-subtype primarily mediating circadian photoentrainment and pupillary light reflex. Studies have identified two slow steps in the intrinsic dim-flash-response kinetics of M1-ipRGCs, with no clear functional difference between the short and long alternatively-spliced forms of melanopsin proteins in these cells. Disruptions in melanopsin inactivation or G-protein deactivation did not significantly affect the response waveform in M1-ipRGCs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Sadaf Abed, Andreea Reilly, Sebastian J. Arnold, David A. Feldheim
Summary: Retinal ganglion cells expressing the photopigment melanopsin, known as ipRGCs, are intrinsically photosensitive and play a role in regulating non-image-forming behaviors. The transcription factor Tbr2 is necessary for the formation of ipRGCs during retinal development, and its removal in adult mice leads to the loss of melanopsin expression. However, it does not result in cell death or morphological changes. Tbr2 is also involved in the survival of ipRGCs after optic nerve injury. Additionally, the GABAergic amacrine cell marker Meis2 is expressed in Tbr2-expressing displaced amacrine cells and a subset of Tbr2-expressing RGCs. These findings highlight the importance of Tbr2 in ipRGC function and survival, and provide a marker for Tbr2-expressing displaced amacrine cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Jingyi Gao, Ignacio Provencio, Xiaorong Liu
Summary: Glaucoma is a severe eye disease that damages retinal ganglion cells, leading to vision loss. Different types of retinal ganglion cells degenerate and die in specific ways, resulting in differential damage to visual and non-visual functions. A specific type, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells, plays a key role in non-visual responses to light. Understanding how glaucoma affects these cells and their circuits will have significant implications for improving treatment of glaucoma-associated non-visual disorders.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Ana Martinez Vacas, Johnny Di Pierdomenico, Alejandro Gallego Ortega, Serge Picaud, Manuel Vidal-Sanz, Maria Paz Villegas Perez, Diego Garcia-Ayuso
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marina Martinez-Carmona, Fernando Lucas-Ruiz, Alejandro Gallego-Ortega, Caridad Galindo-Romero, Maria Norte-Munoz, Maria Jose Gonzalez-Riquelme, Francisco J. Valiente-Soriano, Manuel Vidal-Sanz, Marta Agudo-Barriuso
Summary: Ly6c can serve as a specific marker of mouse vasculature, particularly of the retinal vascular plexuses. In injured retinas, Ly6c expression increases, correlating with vascular formation and classical monocyte/macrophage activation. This study provides a new tool for qualitative and quantitative assessment of vascular changes in health and disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Martinez-Vacas, Johnny Di Pierdomenico, Francisco J. Valiente-Soriano, Manuel Vidal-Sanz, Serge Picaud, Maria Paz Villegas-Perez, Diego Garcia-Ayuso
Summary: In this study, we investigated the effects of taurine deficiency on glial cell activation and oxidative stress. The results showed that taurine deficiency caused cell damage in various layers of the retina and increased the susceptibility of photoreceptor outer segments to light damage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Maria Norte-Munoz, Alejandro Gallego-Ortega, Fernando Lucas-Ruiz, Maria J. Gonzalez-Riquelme, Yazmin Changa-Espinoza, Caridad Galindo-Romero, Peter Ponsaerts, Manuel Vidal-Sanz, David Garcia-Bernal, Marta Agudo-Barriuso
Summary: This study compares the response of the mouse retina to different modes of MSC transplantation and finds that different transplantation modes lead to varying degrees of anatomical and functional changes, with xenotransplants being the most detrimental. This finding is of great importance for preclinical studies.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Johnny Di Pierdomenico, Ana Martinez-Vacas, Serge Picaud, Maria P. Villegas-Perez, Diego Garcia-Ayuso
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Jose Gonzalez-Riquelme, Fernando Lucas-Ruiz, Caridad Galindo-Romero, Raquel Boia, Antonio Francisco Ambrosio, Manuel Vidal-Sanz, Ana Raquel Santiago, Marta Agudo-Barriuso
Summary: This study compares retinal organotypic cultures (ROCs) with in vivo models to study retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and glial activation. The results show that there are significant differences in glial activation between ROCs and in vivo models, with earlier and different morphological activation in ROCs. Additionally, microglial cell density in ROCs is consistently lower than in vivo. ROCs can be used for proof-of-concept studies on neuroprotection, but long-term experiments should be performed in vivo.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Nenad T. Pokrajac, Nicholas J. A. Tokarew, Akshay Gurdita, Arturo Ortin-Martinez, Valerie A. Wallace
Summary: The microenvironment plays a crucial role in brain tumor initiation, but this area of study is not well-explored. In this research, it was discovered that Norrin/Frizzled4 activation can control preneoplasia and tumor progression in a mouse model of Sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma (Shh-MB) by influencing meningeal macrophages (mMFs). Depletion of mMFs during the preneoplastic period enhances preneoplasia and tumorigenesis, similar to the effects of Norrin loss. The anti-tumorigenic function of mMFs is mediated by the expression of CXCL4, which counteracts signaling in pre-tumor cells and inhibits cell-cycle progression while promoting migration away from the pre-tumor niche.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Jose Maria Cabrera-Maqueda, Raquel Boia, Fernando Lucas-Ruiz, Maria Jose Gonzalez-Riquelme, Antonio Francisco Ambrosio, Ana Raquel Santiago, Manuel Vidal-Sanz, Marta Agudo-Barriuso, Caridad Galindo-Romero
Summary: The main purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of unilateral optic nerve crush on the gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, and gliosis markers in injured and contralateral retinas. The results showed that both sham surgery and optic nerve crush changed the profile of inflammatory and gliosis markers in the injured and contralateral retinas, with more pronounced changes in optic nerve crush.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Johnny Di Pierdomenico, Raquel Gonzalez-Gonzalez, Francisco J. Valiente-Soriano, Caridad Galindo-Romero, Diego Garcia-Ayuso
Summary: This study investigated the knowledge, training, and clinical practice of Spanish optometrists regarding preventing and controlling myopia progression. A web-based questionnaire was distributed and the results showed that the majority of respondents had over 20 years of experience in the optometry field and were very concerned about the increasing frequency of pediatric myopia. The respondents believed that the efficacy of myopia management is related to the age of prescription and suggested a minimum necessary degree of progression for considering myopia management options. The most commonly prescribed method of myopia correction was single-vision spectacles, followed by orthokeratology and soft-defocus contact lenses.
INTERNATIONAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Caridad Galindo-Romero, Celia L. Rodriguez-Zamora, Diego Garcia-Ayuso, Johnny Di Pierdomenico, Francisco J. Valiente-Soriano
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS)-related symptoms in a presbyopic population using the computer as the main work tool, and examined the relationship between CVS and electronic device use habits and ergonomic factors. The results showed that the median total symptom score (MTSS) in the presbyopic population was 7 +/- 5 symptoms, with dry eyes, tired eyes, and difficulties in refocusing being the most common symptoms. MTSS was higher in women, laptop computer users, and teleworkers compared to office workers, and was also higher in participants who did not take breaks while working, had inadequate lighting in the workspace, and reported neck or back pain.
INTERNATIONAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Francisco M. Nadal-Nicolas, Caridad Galindo-Romero, Fernando Lucas-Ruiz, Nicholas Marsh-Amstrong, Wei Li, Manuel Vidal-Sanz, Marta Agudo-Barriuso
Summary: Univocal identification of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is necessary for studying their degeneration and neuroprotection. Retrograde tracing of retinorecipient areas is an invasive technique used in the past, but not feasible in higher mammals. This review analyzed nine markers used to identify RGCs in rats, mice, and macaques, and found BRN3A and RBPMS to be the best markers in terms of specificity and labeling proportion.
ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)