HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Yang, P. Articles by Kijlstra, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Yang, P. Articles by Kijlstra, A.

Immune Cells in the Porcine Retina: Distribution, Characterization and Morphological Features

¹ From the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Peoples Republic of China; the ² Insitute of Animal Science and Health, Lelystad, The Netherlands; ³ Eye Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands; and the ⁴ Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

PURPOSE. To investigate the presence of immunocompetent cells in the porcine retina and to compare the findings with those obtained earlier in human retinas.

METHODS. Retinal wholemounts or cryostat sections from outbred Dutch Landrace pigs were analyzed for the presence of microglia (CD45), macrophages-monocytes (SW3, CD163, 2A10, CD14), major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II–positive cells (MCA1335), granulocytes (MCA1219), B lymphocytes (IgM), and T lymphocytes (CD6, CD4, CD8), by using specific monoclonal antibodies followed by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS. A uniform distribution of CD45-positive microglial cells was observed throughout the porcine retina (mean number, 289 ± 16 cells/mm²). The microglia were observed along blood vessels and within the tissue between the inner limiting membrane and the inner nuclear layer. MHC class II–positive cells were mainly observed along the large- and middle-sized retinal blood vessels. Double-staining experiments showed that 54% of the microglial cells lining the larger retinal vessels were MHC class II positive. Macrophages were only incidentally observed along the larger retinal blood vessels. No T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, monocytes, or granulocytes were observed within the retinal tissue.

CONCLUSIONS. The porcine retina contains a rich network of microglial cells. Approximately half of the microglial cells lining the larger retinal vessels express MHC class II. The normal porcine retina is devoid of lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes. The distribution of immunocompetent cells in the porcine retina largely resembles that observed in the human retina.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. R. Tambuyzer, P. Ponsaerts, and E. J. Nouwen Microglia: gatekeepers of central nervous system immunology J. Leukoc. Biol., March 1, 2009; 85(3): 352 - 370. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Thelen, T. Georg, S. Bertuch, P. Zelina, and G. E. Pollerberg Ubiquitination and Endocytosis of Cell Adhesion Molecule DM-GRASP Regulate Its Cell Surface Presence and Affect Its Role for Axon Navigation J. Biol. Chem., November 21, 2008; 283(47): 32792 - 32801. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. J. Guillemin and B. J. Brew Microglia, macrophages, perivascular macrophages, and pericytes: a review of function and identification J. Leukoc. Biol., March 1, 2004; 75(3): 388 - 397. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. S. Gregerson and J. Yang CD45-Positive Cells of the Retina and Their Responsiveness to In Vivo and In Vitro Treatment with IFN-{gamma} or Anti-CD40 Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., July 1, 2003; 44(7): 3083 - 3093. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]