Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) Fragments Prevent Mouse Cone Photoreceptor Cell Loss Induced by Focal Phototoxicity In Vivo.

Here, we evaluated the effects of PEDF (pigment epithelium-derived factor) and PEDF peptides on cone-photoreceptor cell damage in a mouse model of focal LED-induced phototoxicity (LIP) in vivo. Swiss mice were dark-adapted overnight, anesthetized, and their left eyes were exposed to a blue LED placed over the cornea. Immediately after, intravitreal injection of PEDF, PEDF-peptide fragments 17-mer, 17-mer[H105A] or 17-mer[R99A] (all at 10 pmol) were administered into the left eye of each animal. BDNF (92 pmol) and bFGF (27 pmol) injections were positive controls, and vehicle negative control. After 7 days, LIP resulted in a consistent circular lesion located in the supratemporal quadrant and the number of S-cones were counted within an area centered on the lesion. Retinas treated with effectors had significantly greater S-cone numbers (PEDF (60%), 17-mer (56%), 17-mer [H105A] (57%), BDNF (64%) or bFGF (60%)) relative to their corresponding vehicle groups (≈42%). The 17-mer[R99A] with no PEDF receptor binding and no neurotrophic activity, PEDF combined with a molar excess of the PEDF receptor blocker P1 peptide, or with a PEDF-R enzymatic inhibitor had undetectable effects in S-cone survival. The findings demonstrated that the cone survival effects were mediated via interactions between the 17-mer region of the PEDF molecule and its PEDF-R receptor.

Topical Brimonidine or Intravitreal BDNF, CNTF, or bFGF Protect Cones Against Phototoxicity.

PURPOSE: To develop a focal photoreceptor degeneration model by blue light-emitting diode (LED)-induced phototoxicity (LIP) and investigate the protective effects of topical brimonidine (BMD) or intravitreal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). METHODS: In anesthetized, dark-adapted, adult female Swiss mice, the left eye was dilated and exposed to blue light (10 seconds, 200 lux). After LIP, full-field electroretinograms (ERG) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were obtained longitudinally, and reactive-Iba-1+monocytic cells, TUNEL+ cells and S-opsin+ cone outer segments were examined up to 7 days. Left eyes were treated topically with BMD (1%) or vehicle, before or right after LIP, or intravitreally with BDNF (2.5 µg), CNTF (0.2 µg), bFGF (0.5 µg), or corresponding vehicle right after LIP. At 7 days, S-opsin+ cone outer segments were counted within predetermined fixed-size areas (PFA) centered on the lesion in both flattened retinas. RESULTS: SD-OCT showed a circular region in the superior-temporal left retina with progressive thinning (207.9 ± 5.6 µm to 160.7 ± 6.8 µm [7 days], n = 8), increasing TUNEL+ cells (peak at 3 days), decreasing S-opsin+ cone outer segments, and strong microglia activation. ERGs were normal by 3 days. Total S-opsin+ cones in the PFA for LIP-treated and fellow-retinas were 2330 ± 262 and 5601 ± 583 (n = 8), respectively. All neuroprotectants (n = 7-11), including topical BMD pre- or post-LIP, or intravitreal BDNF, CNTF, and bFGF, showed significantly greater S-opsin+ cone survival than their corresponding vehicle-treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: LIP is a reliable, quantifiable focal photoreceptor degeneration model. Topical BMD or intravitreal BDNF, CNTF, or bFGF protect against LIP-induced cone-photoreceptor loss. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Topical BMD or intravitreal BDNF, CNTF, or bFGF protect cones against phototoxicity.

Microglial dynamics after axotomy-induced retinal ganglion cell death.

BACKGROUND: Microglial cells (MCs) are the sentries of the central nervous system. In health, they are known as surveying MCs because they examine the tissue to maintain the homeostasis. In disease, they activate and, among other functions, become phagocytic to clean the cellular debris. In this work, we have studied the behavior of rat retinal MCs in two models of unilateral complete intraorbital optic nerve axotomy which elicit a different time course of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. METHODS: Albino Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into these groups: (a) intact (no surgery), (b) fluorogold (FG) tracing from the superior colliculi, and (c) FG tracing + crush or transection of the left optic nerve. The retinas were dissected from 2 days to 2 months after the lesions (n = 4-12 group/lesion and time point) and then were subjected to Brn3a and Iba1 double immunodetection. In each intact retina, the total number of Brn3a+RGCs and Iba+MCs was quantified. In each traced retina (b and c groups), FG-traced RGCs and phagocytic microglial cells (PMCs, FG+Iba+) were also quantified. Topographical distribution was assessed by neighbor maps. RESULTS: In intact retinas, surveying MCs are homogenously distributed in the ganglion cell layer and the inner plexiform layer. Independently of the axotomy model, RGC death occurs in two phases, one quick and one protracted, and there is a lineal and topographical correlation between the appearance of PMCs and the loss of traced RGCs. Furthermore, the clearance of FG+RGCs by PMCs occurs 3 days after the actual loss of Brn3a expression that marks RGC death. In addition, almost 50% of MCs from the inner plexiform layer migrate to the ganglion cell layer during the quick phase of RGC loss, returning to the inner plexiform layer during the slow degeneration phase. Finally, in contrast to what happens in mice, in rats, there is no microglial phagocytosis in the contralateral uninjured retina. CONCLUSIONS: Axotomy-induced RGC death occurs earlier than RGC clearance and there is an inverse correlation between RGC loss and PMC appearance, both numerically and topographically, suggesting that phagocytosis occurs as a direct response to RGC death rather than to axonal damage.

Body composition changes after sport detraining period / Cambios de la composición corporal tras un periodo de desentrenamiento deportivo

Introduction: The infl uence of exercise in trained subjects has beneficial effects in the physical fi tness and body composition; however, detraining has an unfavorable effect in all of them. Objective: The current study was designed to ascertain the infl uence of a six week-detraining period on body composition in both well-trained young soccer players (GE, n = 43) and sedentary male adolescents (GC, n = 10). Methods: Forty-three well-trained soccer players and ten sedentary adolescents accepted to participate in the study. Body composition measurements included fat mass and skeletal muscle mass (SMM), which were estimated by anthropometry. In addition, total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW) and extracellular water (ECW) were assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) at the end of training and after detraining periods. Results: After the six-week-detraining period, signifi cant increments were found in TBW (35.5 ± 5.2 vs.36.7 ± 4.9 kg; p < 0.001), ICW (14.2 ± 1.8 vs. 14.8 ± 1.6 kg; p < 0.001) and ECW (21.5 ± 3.6 vs. 22.0 ± 3.4 kg; p < 0.001) in soccer players. Conversely, no changes were observed in ECW/TBW (0.4 ± 0.02 vs. 0.4 ± 0.02; p > 0.05) and ICW/TBW (0.6 ± 0.02 vs. 0.597 ± 0.02; p > 0.05) ratios. Finally, fat mass was significantly increased (8.6 ± 3.2 vs. 8.95 ± 3.1 kg; p < 0.01) in the detrained group. No signifi cant changes were found in SMM (21.2 ± 2.5 vs. 22.22 ± 2.8 kg, p > 0.05). Conclusions: After a six-week detraining period, body composition changed signifi cantly in well-trained adolescents. The main fi nding of this study was that increments of TBW and water distribution were observed in the soccer group, which refl ects an increase of fat free mass compartment. The physiological importance of this miss-adaptation needs to be elucidated in future research. Further studies on this topic are still required to assess its impact on physical performance.

Quantitative and Topographical Analysis of the Losses of Cone Photoreceptors and Retinal Ganglion Cells Under Taurine Depletion.

PURPOSE: Taurine depletion is known to induce photoreceptor degeneration and was recently found to also trigger retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss similar to the retinal toxicity of vigabatrin. Our objective was to study the topographical loss of RGCs and cone photoreceptors, with a distinction between the two cone types (S- and L- cones) in an animal model of induced taurine depletion. METHODS: We used the taurine transporter (Tau-T) inhibitor, guanidoethane sulfonate (GES), to induce taurine depletion at a concentration of 1% in the drinking water. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and electroretinograms (ERG) were performed on animals after 2 months of GES treatment administered through the drinking water. Retinas were dissected as wholemounts and immunodetection of Brn3a (RGC), S-opsin (S-cones), and L-opsin (L-cones) was performed. The number of Brn3a+ RGCs, and L- and S-opsin+ cones was automatically quantified and their retinal distribution studied using isodensity maps. RESULTS: The treatment resulted in a significant reduction in plasma taurine levels and a profound dysfunction of visual performance as shown by ERG recordings. Optical coherence tomography analysis revealed that the retina was thinner in the taurine-depleted group. S-opsin+cones were more affected (36%) than L-opsin+cones (27%) with greater cone cell loss in the dorsal area whereas RGC loss (12%) was uniformly distributed. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that taurine depletion causes RGC and cone loss. Electroretinograms results show that taurine depletion induces retinal dysfunction in photoreceptors and in the inner retina. It establishes a gradient of cell loss depending on the cell type from S-opsin+cones, L-opsin+cones, to RGCs. The greater cell loss in the dorsal retina and of the S-cone population may underline different cellular mechanisms of cellular degeneration and suggests that S-cones may be more sensitive to light-induced retinal toxicity enhanced by the taurine depletion.

Neuroprotection by α2-Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation after Excitotoxic Retinal Injury: A Study of the Total Population of Retinal Ganglion Cells and Their Distribution in the Chicken Retina.

We have studied the effect of α2-adrenergic receptor stimulation on the total excitotoxically injured chicken retinal ganglion cell population. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was intraocularly injected at embryonic day 18 and Brn3a positive retinal ganglion cells (Brn3a+ RGCs) were counted in flat-mounted retinas using automated routines. The number and distribution of the Brn3a+ RGCs were analyzed in series of normal retinas from embryonic day 8 to post-hatch day 11 retinas and in retinas 7 or 14 days post NMDA lesion. The total number of Brn3a+ RGCs in the post-hatch retina was approximately 1.9x106 with a density of approximately 9.2x103 cells/mm2. The isodensity maps of normal retina showed that the density decreased with age as the retinal size increased. In contrast to previous studies, we did not find any specific region with increased RGC density, rather the Brn3a+ RGCs were homogeneously distributed over the central retina with decreasing density in the periphery and in the region of the pecten oculli. Injection of 5-10 µg NMDA caused 30-50% loss of Brn3a+ cells and the loss was more severe in the dorsal than in the ventral retina. Pretreatment with brimonidine reduced the loss of Brn3a+ cells both 7 and 14 days post lesion and the protective effect was higher in the dorsal than in the ventral retina. We conclude that α2-adrenergic receptor stimulation reduced the impact of the excitotoxic injury in chicken similarly to what has been shown in mammals. Furthermore, the data show that the RGCs are evenly distributed over in the retina, which challenges previous results that indicate the presence of specific high RGC-density regions of the chicken retina.

Different Ipsi- and Contralateral Glial Responses to Anti-VEGF and Triamcinolone Intravitreal Injections in Rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the glial response of the rat retina to single or repeated intravitreal injections (IVI). METHODS: Albino Sprague-Dawley rats received one or three (one every 7 days) IVI of anti-rat VEGF (5 µL; 0.015 µg/µL), triamcinolone (2.5 or 5 µL; 40 µg/µL; Trigón Depot), bevacizumab (5 µL; 25 µg/µL; Avastin), or their vehicles (PBS and balanced salt solution) and were processed 7 days after the last injection. Retinas were dissected as whole mounts and incubated with antibodies against: Iba1 (Ionized Calcium-Binding Adapter Molecule 1) to label retinal microglia, GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein) to label macroglial cells, and vimentin to label Müller cells. The retinas were examined with fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and the numbers of microglial cells in the inner retinal layers were quantified using a semiautomatic method. RESULTS: All the injected substances caused an important micro- and macroglial response locally at the injection site and all throughout the injected retina that was exacerbated by repeated injections. The microglial response was also observed but was milder in the contralateral noninjected eyes. The IVI of the humanized antibody bevacizumab caused a very strong microglial reaction in the ipsilateral retina. Two types of macroglial response were observed: astrocyte hypertrophy and Müller end-foot hypertrophy. While astrocyte hypertrophy was widespread throughout the injected retina, Müller end-foot hypertrophy was localized and more extensive with triamcinolone use or after repeated injections. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injections cause micro- and macroglial responses that vary depending on the injected agent but increase with repeated injections. This inflammatory glial response may influence the effects of the injected substances on the retina.

Retinal neurodegeneration in experimental glaucoma.

In rats and mice, limbar tissues of the left eye were laser-photocoagulated (LP) and ocular hypertension (OHT) effects were investigated 1 week to 6 months later. To investigate the innermost layers, retinas were examined in wholemounts using tracing from the superior colliculi to identify retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with intact retrograde axonal transport, melanopsin immunodetection to identify intrinsically photosensitive RGCs (m(+)RGC), Brn3a immunodetection to identify most RGCs but not m(+)RGCs, RECA1 immunodetection to examine the inner retinal vessels, and DAPI staining to detect all nuclei in the GC layer. The outer retinal layers (ORLs) were examined in cross sections analyzed morphometrically or in wholemounts to study S- and L-cones. Innervation of the superior colliculi was examined 10 days to 14 weeks after LP with orthogradely transported cholera toxin subunit B. By 2 weeks, OHT resulted in pie-shaped sectors devoid of FG(+)RGCs or Brn3a(+)RGCs but with large numbers of DAPI(+)nuclei. Brn3a(+)RGCs were significantly greater than FG(+)RGCs, indicating the survival of large numbers of RGCs with their axonal transport impaired. The inner retinal vasculature showed no abnormalities that could account for the sectorial loss of RGCs. m(+)RGCs decreased to approximately 50-51% in a diffuse loss across the retina. Cross sections showed focal areas of degeneration in the ORLs. RGC loss at 1m diminished to 20-25% and did not progress further with time, whereas the S- and L-cone populations diminished progressively up to 6m. The retinotectal projection was reduced by 10 days and did not progress further. LP-induced OHT results in retrograde degeneration of RGCs and m(+)RGCs, severe damage to the ORL, and loss of retinotectal terminals.

Long-Term Effect of Optic Nerve Axotomy on the Retinal Ganglion Cell Layer.

PURPOSE: To analyze the long-term effect of optic nerve injury on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and melanopsin+RGCs orthotopic and displaced, and on the rest of the ganglion cell layer (GCL) cells. METHODS: In adult albino rats, the left optic nerve was crushed (ONC) or transected (ONT). Injured and contralateral retinas were analyzed at increasing survival intervals (up to 15 months). To study all GCL cells and RGCs, retinas were immunodetected with Brn3a and melanopsin to identify the general RGC population (Brn3a+) and m+RGCs, and counter-stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Brn3a+RGCs and m+RGCs displaced to the inner nuclear layer were analyzed as well. In additional retinas, glial cells in the GCL were identified with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) or Iba1, and in some retinas, Brn3a, calretinin, and γ-synuclein were immunodetected. RESULTS: Orthotopic and displaced RGCs behave similarly within the RGC and m+RGC populations. Both lesions cause an exponential loss of RGCs (4%-1% survival at 6 months after ONC or ONT), but not of m+RGCs, whose number remains stable from 1 to 15 months (34%-44% of the initial population). γ-synuclein is expressed by RGCs and displaced amacrine cells (dACs), allowing us to confirm that axotomy does not affect the latter, and to determine that out of the approximately 217,406 cells that compose the GCL (excluding endothelia), 10% are glial cells, 50% dACs, and the remaining 40% are RGCs. CONCLUSIONS: In the GCL, only RGCs are lost after axotomy, and there are important differences in the course of loss and rate of survival between melanopsin+RGCs and the rest of RGCs.

Transient Downregulation of Melanopsin Expression After Retrograde Tracing or Optic Nerve Injury in Adult Rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of retrograde tracing or axotomy on melanopsin mRNA expression and immunodetection in albino and pigmented rat retinas. METHODS: Groups were (1) intact-naïve retinas; (2) optic nerve crush (ONC) analyzed at 7 days (7d) or 2 months (2m); (3) Fluorogold (FG) tracing from the superior colliculi (SCi) analyzed at 7d or 2m; (4) tracing from the intact optic nerve (ON) with FG or hydroxystilbamidine methanesulfonate (OHSt), analyzed 3d later; and (5) sham tracing from the ON or sham surgery. Brn3a and melanopsin were double stained in whole mounts to quantify and assess the distribution of orthotopic and displaced Brn3a(+) retinal ganglion cells (Brn3a(+)RGCs) and melanopsin(+)RGCs (m(+)RGCs). Freshly dissected retinas were used for melanopsin mRNA quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Tracing from the SCi did not affect the number of Brn3a(+)RGCs or m(+)RGCs counted in pigmented rats. However, only 55% of m(+)RGCs were immunodetected in albinos at 7d, although by 2m the m(+)RGCs counts returned to normal. Optic nerve tracing had a more dramatic effect (38% or 77% of m(+)RGCs were immunodetected in albino or pigmented rats) that occurred irrespectively of the tracer (OHSt or FG). This effect was not observed in the sham groups. After ONC, Brn3a(+)RGCs decreased to 37% and 8% by 7d and 2m, respectively. Melanopsin (+)RGC counts diminished to 30% at 7d, but recovered to 49% of controls by 2m. Melanopsin mRNA was downregulated after ON tracing or 7d after ONC, but did not differ from intact values 2m after ONC. CONCLUSIONS: Following ON injury or retrograde tracing there is a transient melanopsin downregulation that should be taken into account when assessing m(+)RGC survival.

Effects of ocular hypertension in the visual system of pigmented mice.

To study the effects of ocular hypertension (OHT) on the visual system of C57BL/6 pigmented mice, the limbal and episcleral veins of the left eye were laser photocoagulated (LP). LP increased the intraocular pressure during the first five days (d), reaching basal values at 7d. To investigate the effect of OHT on the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) retrograde axonal transport, hydroxistilbamidine methanesulfonate (OHSt) was applied to both superior colliculi (SCi) and the retinas were dissected 2 or 4 weeks after LP. To determine RGC survival, these same retinas were immunoreacted against Brn3a (general RGC population) and melanopsin (intrinsically photosensitive RGCs, m+RGCs). To study whether OHT affected non-RGC neurons in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), RGCs were immunodetected with Brn3a and all GCL nuclei counterstained with DAPI in a group of animals examined 4 weeks post-LP. Innervation of the SCi was examined at 10 days, 8 or 14 weeks after LP with the orthogradely transported cholera toxin subunit-B. OHT resulted in diffuse and sectorial loss of OHSt+RGCs (50% at 2 weeks and 62% at 4 weeks) and in a comparable loss of Brn3a+RGCs at the same time intervals. m+RGCs decreased to 59% at 2 weeks and to 46% at 4 weeks, such loss was diffuse, did not parallel the sectorial loss of the general RGC population and was more severe in the superior-temporal retina. In the GCL, cell loss is selective for RGCs and does not affect other non-RGC neurons. The retinotectal innervation appeared significantly reduced at 10 days (55.7%) and did not progress further up to 14 weeks (46.6%). Thus, LP-induced OHT results in retrograde degeneration of RGCs and m+RGCs, as well as in the loss of CTB-labelled retinotectal terminals.

BDNF Rescues RGCs But Not Intrinsically Photosensitive RGCs in Ocular Hypertensive Albino Rat Retinas.

PURPOSE: To study the responses of the general population of retinal ganglion cells (Brn3a(+)RGCs) versus the intrinsically photosensitive RGCs (melanopsin-expressing RGCs [m(+)RGCs]) to ocular hypertension (OHT), the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on the survival of axonally intact and axonally nonintact RGCs, and the correlation of vascular integrity with sectorial RGC loss. METHODS: In Sprague-Dawley rats, 5 µg BDNF or vehicle was intravitreally injected into the left eye followed by laser photocoagulation of the limbal tissues. To identify RGCs with an active retrograde axonal transport, Fluorogold was applied to both superior colliculi 1 week before euthanasia (FG(+)RGCs). Retinas were dissected 12 or 15 days after lasering and immunoreacted against Brn3a (to identify all RGCs except m(+)RGCs), melanopsin, or RECA1 (inner retinal vasculature). RESULTS: Ocular hypertension resulted at 12 to 15 days in sectorial loss of FG(+)RGCs (78%-84%, respectively) while Brn3a(+)RGCs were significantly greater, indicating that a substantial proportion (approximately 21%-26%) of RGCs with their retrograde axonal transport impaired survive in the retina. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor increased the survival of Brn3a(+)RGCs to 81% to 67% at 12 to 15 days, respectively. The inner retinal vasculature showed no abnormalities that could account for the sectorial loss of RGCs. At 12 to 15 days, m(+)RGCs decreased to approximately 50% to 51%, but this loss was diffuse across the retina and was not prevented by BDNF. CONCLUSIONS: The responses of m(+)RGCs against OHT-induced retinal degeneration and neuroprotection differ from those of Brn3a(+)RGCs; while OHT induces similar loss of Brn3a(+)RGCs and m(+)RGCs, Brn3a(+)RGCs are lost in sectors and can be rescued with BDNF, but m(+)RGCs do not respond to BDNF and their loss is diffuse.

Laser-induced ocular hypertension in adult rats does not affect non-RGC neurons in the ganglion cell layer but results in protracted severe loss of cone-photoreceptors.

To investigate the long-term effects of laser-photocoagulation (LP)-induced ocular hypertension (OHT) in the innermost and outermost (outer-nuclear and outer segment)-retinal layers (ORL). OHT was induced in the left eye of adult rats. To investigate the ganglion cell layer (GCL) wholemounts were examined at 1, 3 or 6 months using Brn3a-immunodetection to identify retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and DAPI-staining to detect all nuclei in this layer. To study the effects of LP on the ORL up to 6 months, retinas were: i) fresh extracted to quantify the levels of rod-, S- and L-opsin; ii) cut in cross-sections for morphometric analysis, or; iii) prepared as wholemounts to quantify and study retinal distributions of entire populations of RGCs (retrogradely labeled with fluorogold, FG), S- and L-cones (immunolabeled). OHT resulted in wedge-like sectors with their apex on the optic disc devoid of Brn3a(+)RGCs but with large numbers of DAPI(+)nuclei. The levels of all opsins diminished by 2 weeks and further decreased to 20% of basal-levels by 3 months. Cross-sections revealed focal areas of ORL degeneration. RGC survival at 15 days represented approximately 28% and did not change with time, whereas the S- and L-cone populations diminished to 65% and 80%, or to 20 and 35% at 1 or 6 months, respectively. In conclusion, LP induces in the GCL selective RGCs loss that does not progress after 1 month, and S- and L-cone loss that progresses for up to 6 months. Thus, OHT results in severe damage to both the innermost and the ORL.

Comparison of shear bond strength of brackets recycled using micro sandblasting and industrial methods.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in vitro the shear bond strength of brackets recycled by sandblasting with aluminum oxide particles of different sizes or reconditioned industrially after successive rebonding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty brackets were bonded and debonded sequentially three times. After the first debonding, brackets were divided into four groups: (group 1) sandblasting with aluminum oxide particles of 25 µ, (group 2) 50 µ, and (group 3) 110 µ, and (group 4) industrial recycling. Bond strength and adhesive material remaining on debonded bracket bases were evaluated for each successive debond. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected between the four groups following the first recycle (P > .05). After the second recycle, bond strength was significantly greater for the industrially recycled group than the other groups (P < .016). When shear bond strength was compared within each recycling method, the bond strength of sandblasted brackets decreased with the increase of particle size and with each recycle; for the industrially recycled group, no significant differences were detected between the three sequences (P > .016). In the evaluation of bond material remnant, the industrially recycled group left significantly less bond material after successive recycling than the other groups did (P < .016). Within each recycling method, the adhesive remnant decreased significantly after successive debond (P < .016). CONCLUSIONS: Industrial recycling obtained better results than sandblasting after three successive debondings. The brackets' shear bond strength decreased as the size of the aluminum oxide particle used for sandblasting increased and as recycling was repeated.

Distribution of melanopsin positive neurons in pigmented and albino mice: evidence for melanopsin interneurons in the mouse retina.

Here we have studied the population of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in adult pigmented and albino mice. Our data show that although pigmented (C57Bl/6) and albino (Swiss) mice have a similar total number of ipRGCs, their distribution is slightly different: while in pigmented mice ipRGCs are more abundant in the temporal retina, in albinos the ipRGCs are more abundant in superior retina. In both strains, ipRGCs are located in the retinal periphery, in the areas of lower Brn3a(+)RGC density. Both strains also contain displaced ipRGCs (d-ipRGCs) in the inner nuclear layer (INL) that account for 14% of total ipRGCs in pigmented mice and 5% in albinos. Tracing from both superior colliculli shows that 98% (pigmented) and 97% (albino) of the total ipRGCs, become retrogradely labeled, while double immunodetection of melanopsin and Brn3a confirms that few ipRGCs express this transcription factor in mice. Rather surprisingly, application of a retrograde tracer to the optic nerve (ON) labels all ipRGCs, except for a sub-population of the d-ipRGCs (14% in pigmented and 28% in albino, respectively) and melanopsin positive cells residing in the ciliary marginal zone (CMZ) of the retina. In the CMZ, between 20% (pigmented) and 24% (albino) of the melanopsin positive cells are unlabeled by the tracer and we suggest that this may be because they fail to send an axon into the ON. As such, this study provides the first evidence for a population of melanopsin interneurons in the mammalian retina.

A novel in vivo model of focal light emitting diode-induced cone-photoreceptor phototoxicity: neuroprotection afforded by brimonidine, BDNF, PEDF or bFGF.

We have investigated the effects of light-emitting diode (LED)-induced phototoxicity (LIP) on cone-photoreceptors and their protection with brimonidine (BMD), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). In anesthetized, dark adapted, adult albino rats a blue (400 nm) LED was placed perpendicular to the cornea (10 sec, 200 lux) and the effects were investigated using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and/or analysing the retina in oriented cross-sections or wholemounts immune-labelled for L- and S-opsin and counterstained with the nuclear stain DAPI. The effects of topical BMD (1%) or, intravitreally injected BDNF (5 µg), PEDF (2 µg), CNTF (0.4 µg) or bFGF (1 µg) after LIP were examined on wholemounts at 7 days. SD-OCT showed damage in a circular region of the superotemporal retina, whose diameter varied from 1,842.4±84.5 µm (at 24 hours) to 1,407.7±52.8 µm (at 7 days). This region had a progressive thickness diminution from 183.4±5 µm (at 12 h) to 114.6±6 µm (at 7 d). Oriented cross-sections showed within the light-damaged region of the retina massive loss of rods and cone-photoreceptors. Wholemounts documented a circular region containing lower numbers of L- and S-cones. Within a circular area (1 mm or 1.3 mm radius, respectively) in the left and in its corresponding region of the contralateral-fellow-retina, total L- or S-cones were 7,118±842 or 661±125 for the LED exposed retinas (n = 7) and 14,040±1,860 or 2,255±193 for the fellow retinas (n = 7), respectively. BMD, BDNF, PEDF and bFGF but not CNTF showed significant neuroprotective effects on L- or S-cones. We conclude that LIP results in rod and cone-photoreceptor loss, and is a reliable, quantifiable model to study cone-photoreceptor degeneration. Intravitreal BDNF, PEDF or bFGF, or topical BMD afford significant cone neuroprotection in this model.

Displaced retinal ganglion cells in albino and pigmented rats.

We have studied in parallel the population of displaced retinal ganglion cells (dRGCs) and normally placed (orthotopic RGCs, oRGCs) in albino and pigmented rats. Using retrograde tracing from the optic nerve, from both superior colliculi (SC) or from the ipsilateral SC in conjunction with Brn3 and melanopsin immunodetection, we report for the first time their total number and topography as well as the number and distribution of those dRGCs and oRGCs that project ipsi- or contralaterally and/or that express any of the three Brn3 isoforms or melanopsin. The total number of RGCs (oRGCs+dRGCs) is 84,706 ± 1249 in albino and 90,440 ± 2236 in pigmented, out of which 2383 and 2428 are melanopsin positive (m-RGCs), respectively. Regarding dRGCs: i/ albino rats have a significantly lower number of dRGCs than pigmented animals (0.5% of the total number of RGCs vs. 2.5%, respectively), ii/ dRGCs project massively to the contralateral SC, iii/ the percentage of ipsilaterality is higher for dRGCs than for oRGCs, iv/ a higher proportion of ipsilateral dRGCs is observed in albino than pigmented animals, v/ dRGC topography is very specific, they predominate in the equatorial temporal retina, being densest where the oRGCs are densest, vi/ Brn3a detects all dRGCs except half of the ipsilateral ones and those that express melanopsin, vii/ the proportion of dRGCs that express Brn3b or Brn3c is slightly lower than in the oRGC population, viii/ a higher percentage of dRGCs (13% albino, 9% pigmented) than oRGCs (2.6%) express melanopsin, ix/ few m-RGCs (displaced and orthotopic) project to the ipsilateral SC, x/ the topography of m-dRGCs does not resemble the general distribution of dRGCs, xi/ The soma size in m-oRGCs ranges from 10 to 21 µm and in m-dRGCs from 8 to 15 µm, xii/ oRGCs and dRGCs have the same susceptibility to axonal injury and ocular hypertension. Although the role of mammalian dRGCs remains to be determined, our data suggest that they are not misplaced by an ontogenic mistake.

Number and distribution of mouse retinal cone photoreceptors: differences between an albino (Swiss) and a pigmented (C57/BL6) strain.

We purpose here to analyze and compare the population and topography of cone photoreceptors in two mouse strains using automated routines, and to design a method of retinal sampling for their accurate manual quantification. In whole-mounted retinas from pigmented C57/BL6 and albino Swiss mice, the longwave-sensitive (L) and the shortwave-sensitive (S) opsins were immunodetected to analyze the population of each cone type. In another group of retinas both opsins were detected with the same fluorophore to quantify all cones. In a third set of retinas, L-opsin and Brn3a were immunodetected to determine whether L-opsin+cones and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) have a parallel distribution. Cones and RGCs were automatically quantified and their topography illustrated with isodensity maps. Our results show that pigmented mice have a significantly higher number of total cones (all-cones) and of L-opsin+cones than albinos which, in turn, have a higher population of S-opsin+cones. In pigmented animals 40% of cones are dual (cones that express both opsins), 34% genuine-L (cones that only express the L-opsin), and 26% genuine-S (cones that only express the S-opsin). In albinos, 23% of cones are genuine-S and the proportion of dual cones increases to 76% at the expense of genuine-L cones. In both strains, L-opsin+cones are denser in the central than peripheral retina, and all-cones density increases dorso-ventrally. In pigmented animals S-opsin+cones are scarce in the dorsal retina and very numerous in the ventral retina, being densest in its nasal aspect. In albinos, S-opsin+cones are abundant in the dorsal retina, although their highest densities are also ventral. Based on the densities of each cone population, we propose a sampling method to manually quantify and infer their total population. In conclusion, these data provide the basis to study cone degeneration and its prevention in pathologic conditions.

Changes in the photoreceptor mosaic of P23H-1 rats during retinal degeneration: implications for rod-cone dependent survival.

PURPOSE: To investigate the spatiotemporal relationship between rod and cone degeneration in the P23H-1 rat. METHODS: Control Sprague-Dawley (SD) and P23H-1 rats of ages ranging from P30 to P365 were used. Retinas were processed for whole mounts or cross sections and rods and cones were immunodetected. We used newly developed image analysis techniques to quantify the total population of L/M cones (the most abundant cones in the rat) and analyzed the rings of rod-cone degeneration. RESULTS: In P23H-1 rats, rod degeneration occurs rapidly: first the rod outer segment shortens, at P30 there is extensive rod loss, and by P180 rod loss is almost complete except for the most peripheral retina. The numbers of L/M cones are, at all postnatal ages, lower in P23H-1 rats than in control SD rats, and decrease significantly with age (by P180). Rod and cone degeneration is spatiotemporally related and occurs in rings that appear already at P90 and spread throughout the entire retina. At P180, the rings of rod-cone degeneration are more abundant in the equatorial retina and are larger in the dorsal retina. CONCLUSIONS: This work describes for the first time that in the P23H-1 rat, rod and cone degeneration is spatiotemporally related and occurs in rings. Cone loss follows rod loss and starts very soon, even before P30, the first age analyzed here. The characteristics of the rings suggest that secondary cone degeneration is influenced by retinal position and/or other intrinsic or extrinsic factors.

Whole number, distribution and co-expression of brn3 transcription factors in retinal ganglion cells of adult albino and pigmented rats.

The three members of the Pou4f family of transcription factors: Pou4f1, Pou4f2, Pou4f3 (Brn3a, Brn3b and Brn3c, respectively) play, during development, essential roles in the differentiation and survival of sensory neurons. The purpose of this work is to study the expression of the three Brn3 factors in the albino and pigmented adult rat. Animals were divided into these groups: i) untouched; ii) fluorogold (FG) tracing from both superior colliculli; iii) FG-tracing from one superior colliculus; iv) intraorbital optic nerve transection or crush. All retinas were dissected as flat-mounts and subjected to single, double or triple immunohistofluorescence The total number of FG-traced, Brn3a, Brn3b, Brn3c or Brn3 expressing RGCs was automatically quantified and their spatial distribution assessed using specific routines. Brn3 factors were studied in the general RGC population, and in the intrinsically photosensitive (ip-RGCs) and ipsilateral RGC sub-populations. Our results show that: i) 70% of RGCs co- express two or three Brn3s and the remaining 30% express only Brn3a (26%) or Brn3b; ii) the most abundant Brn3 member is Brn3a followed by Brn3b and finally Brn3c; iii) Brn3 a-, b- or c- expressing RGCs are similarly distributed in the retina; iv) The vast majority of ip-RGCs do not express Brn3; v) The main difference between both rat strains was found in the population of ipsilateral-RGCs, which accounts for 4.2% and 2.5% of the total RGC population in the pigmented and albino strain, respectively. However, more ipsilateral-RGCs express Brn3 factors in the albino than in the pigmented rat; vi) RGCs that express only Brn3b and RGCs that co-express the three Brn3 members have the biggest nuclei; vii) After axonal injury the level of Brn3a expression in the surviving RGCs decreases compared to control retinas. Finally, this work strengthens the validity of Brn3a as a marker to identify and quantify rat RGCs.