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Viability of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve crush in adult rats

  • Published:
Journal of Neurocytology

Summary

The response of retinal ganglion cells to optic nerve crush was examined in the hooded rat. Intracranial nerve crush produces a transient shrinkage of the retinal ganglion cells during the first several weeks postoperatively but partial recovery of cell size then appears to occur. This transient response is considered to be a direct response to axotomy. Retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is clearly demonstrated at 2 weeks postoperatively. Transport of newly synthesized protein progressively decreases over the first 2 postoperative months. The ganglion cell therefore retains viability for at least the first few weeks after axotomy. Loss of 60% of the neurons in the ganglion cell layer occurs between 3 and 7 months postoperatively. This late occurring retrograde response is considered to result at least in part from loss of sustaining trophic influences rather than as a direct result of the lesion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Pennsylvania, 19129, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Louis J. Misantone, Mark Gershenbaum & Marion Murray

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  1. Louis J. Misantone
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  2. Mark Gershenbaum
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  3. Marion Murray
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Misantone, L.J., Gershenbaum, M. & Murray, M. Viability of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve crush in adult rats. J Neurocytol 13, 449–465 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01148334

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01148334

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