A zebrafish retinal graded photochemical stress model

Potential Neuroprotective Role of Calretinin-N18 and Calbindin-D28k in the Retina of Adult Zebrafish Exposed to Different Wavelength Lights

The incidence rates of light-induced retinopathies have increased significantly in the last decades because of continuous exposure to light from different electronic devices. Recent studies showed that exposure to blue light had been related to the pathogenesis of light-induced retinopathies. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying changes induced by light exposure are not fully known yet. In the present study, the effects of exposure to light at different wavelengths with emission peaks in the blue light range (400-500 nm) on the localization of Calretinin-N18 (CaR-N18) and Calbindin-D28K (CaB-D28K) in adult zebrafish retina are studied using double immunofluorescence with confocal laser microscopy. CaB-D28K and CaR-N18 are two homologous cytosolic calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs) implicated in essential process regulation in central and peripheral nervous systems. CaB-D28K and CaR-N18 distributions are investigated to elucidate their potential role in maintaining retinal homeostasis under distinct light conditions and darkness. The results showed that light influences CaB-D28K and CaR-N18 distribution in the retina of adult zebrafish, suggesting that these CaBPs could be involved in the pathophysiology of retinal damage induced by the short-wavelength visible light spectrum.

An insight on established retinal injury mechanisms and prevalent retinal stem cell activation pathways in vertebrate models

Implementing different tools and injury mechanisms in multiple animal models of retina regeneration, researchers have discovered the existence of retinal stem/progenitor cells. Although they appear to be distributed uniformly across the vertebrate lineage, the reparative potential of the retina is mainly restricted to lower vertebrates. Regenerative repair post-injury requires the creation of a proliferative niche, vital for proper stem cell activation, propagation, and lineage differentiation. This seems to be lacking in mammals. Hence, in this review, we first discuss the many forms of retinal injuries that have been generated using animal models. Next, we discuss how they are utilized to stimulate regeneration and mimic eye disease pathologies. The key to driving stem cell activation in mammals relies on the information we can gather from these models. Lastly, we present a brief update about the genes, growth factors, and signaling pathways that have been brought to light using these models.

Neurodegeneration, Neuroprotection and Regeneration in the Zebrafish Retina

Neurodegenerative retinal diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, involve a gradual loss of neurons in the retina as the disease progresses. Central nervous system neurons are not able to regenerate in mammals, therefore, an often sought after course of treatment for neuronal loss follows a neuroprotective or regenerative strategy. Neuroprotection is the process of preserving the structure and function of the neurons that have survived a harmful insult; while regenerative approaches aim to replace or rewire the neurons and synaptic connections that were lost, or induce regrowth of damaged axons or dendrites. In order to test the neuroprotective effectiveness or the regenerative capacity of a particular agent, a robust experimental model of retinal neuronal damage is essential. Zebrafish are being used more often in this type of study because their eye structure and development is well-conserved between zebrafish and mammals. Zebrafish are robust genetic tools and are relatively inexpensive to maintain. The large array of functional and behavioral tests available in zebrafish makes them an attractive model for neuroprotection studies. Some common insults used to model retinal disease and study neuroprotection in zebrafish include intense light, chemical toxicity and mechanical damage. This review covers the existing retinal neuroprotection and regeneration literature in the zebrafish and highlights their potential for future studies.

Evaluation of 3D heads-up vitrectomy: outcomes of psychometric skills testing and surgeon satisfaction

Objectives

To evaluate the use of a three-dimensional heads-up microscope (3DM) during 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) compared with a traditional ophthalmic microscope (TM) in terms of efficacy, safety, and teaching and learning satisfaction.

Methods

Prospective comparative interventional study. Fifty eyes affected by one of the following diseases: rhegmatogenous or tractional retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane, full-thickness macular hole, vitreous hemorrhage, or dropped lens. The 50 eyes were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group A (25 eyes) underwent 25-gauge PPV with 3DM, and group B (25 eyes) underwent 25-gauge PPV with TM. The main outcome measures were the duration of the operation, intraoperative complications, and surgeon and observer satisfaction. A questionnaire was used to assess surgeon satisfaction according to the following parameters: comfort, visibility, image quality, depth perception, simplicity of use, maneuverability, and teaching. A questionnaire to assess observer satisfaction was completed by 20 observers (surgical residents or ophthalmic surgeons).

Results

The degree of satisfaction was higher using 3DM for both surgeons and observers (P < 0.001). The average duration of the operation did not differ significantly between the two methods. No major complications occurred for either method.

Conclusions

PPV with 3DM is more comfortable for the surgeon and poses no substantially greater risk of complications for the patient. The high-definition screen delivers excellent depth perception and better screen parameter control, which results in high-quality surgical performance. 3DM surgery helps to significantly improve teaching and learning intra-operative surgical procedures.

Characterization of light lesion paradigms and optical coherence tomography as tools to study adult retina regeneration in zebrafish

Light-induced lesions are a powerful tool to study the amazing ability of photoreceptors to regenerate in the adult zebrafish retina. However, the specificity of the lesion towards photoreceptors or regional differences within the retina are still incompletely understood. We therefore characterized the process of degeneration and regeneration in an established paradigm, using intense white light from a fluorescence lamp on swimming fish (diffuse light lesion). We also designed a new light lesion paradigm where light is focused through a microscope onto the retina of an immobilized fish (focused light lesion). Focused light lesion has the advantage of creating a locally restricted area of damage, with the additional benefit of an untreated control eye in the same animal. In both paradigms, cell death is observed as an immediate early response, and proliferation is initiated around 2 days post lesion (dpl), peaking at 3 dpl. We furthermore find that two photoreceptor subtypes (UV and blue sensitive cones) are more susceptible towards intense white light than red/green double cones and rods. We also observed specific differences within light lesioned areas with respect to the process of photoreceptor degeneration: UV cone debris is removed later than any other type of photoreceptor in light lesions. Unspecific damage to retinal neurons occurs at the center of a focused light lesion territory, but not in the diffuse light lesion areas. We simulated the fish eye optical properties using software simulation, and show that the optical properties may explain the light lesion patterns that we observe. Furthermore, as a new tool to study retinal degeneration and regeneration in individual fish in vivo, we use spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Collectively, the light lesion and imaging assays described here represent powerful tools for studying degeneration and regeneration processes in the adult zebrafish retina.

Light regulates the expression of the BDNF/TrkB system in the adult zebrafish retina

The retina of the adult zebrafish express brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its signaling receptor TrkB. This functional system is involved in the biology of the vertebrate retina and its expression is regulated by light. This study was designed to investigate the effects of cyclic (12 h light/12 h darkness) or continuous (24 h) exposure during 10 days to white light, white-blue light, and blue light, as well as of darkness, on the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the retina. BDNF and TrkB were assessed in the retina of adult zebrafish using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Exposure to white, white-blue, and blue light causes a decrease of BDNF mRNA and of BDNF immunostaining, independently of the pattern of light exposition. Conversely, in the same experimental conditions, the expression of TrkB mRNA was upregulated and TrkB immunostaining increased. Exposition to darkness diminished BDNF and TrkB mRNAs, and abolished the immunostaining for BDNF but not modified that for TrkB. These results demonstrate the regulation of BDNF and TrkB by light in the retina of adult zebrafish and might contribute to explain some aspects of the complex pathophysiology of light-induced retinopathies.

Retinal light toxicity

The ability of light to enact damage on the neurosensory retina and underlying structures has been well understood for hundreds of years. While the eye has adapted several mechanisms to protect itself from such damage, certain exposures to light can still result in temporal or permanent damage. Both clinical observations and laboratory studies have enabled us to understand the various ways by which the eye can protect itself from such damage. Light or electromagnetic radiation can result in damage through photothermal, photomechanical, and photochemical mechanisms. The following review seeks to describe these various processes of injury and many of the variables, which can mitigate these modes of injury.

Expression and cell localization of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and TrkB during zebrafish retinal development

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling through TrkB regulates different aspects of neuronal development, including survival, axonal and dendritic growth, and synapse formation. Despite recent advances in our understanding of the functional significance of BDNF and TrkB in the retina, the cell types in the retina that express BDNF and TrkB, and the variations in their levels of expression during development, remain poorly defined. The goal of the present study is to determine the age-dependent changes in the levels of expression and localization of BDNF and TrkB in the zebrafish retina. Zebrafish retinas from 10 days post-fertilization (dpf) to 180 dpf were used to perform PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Both BDNF and TrkB mRNAs, and BDNF and full-length TrkB proteins were detected at all ages sampled. The localization of these proteins in the retina was very similar at all time points studied. BDNF immunoreactivity was found in the outer nuclear layer, the outer plexiform layer and the inner plexiform layer, whereas TrkB immunoreactivity was observed in the inner plexiform layer and, to a lesser extent, in the ganglion cell layer. These results demonstrate that the pattern of expression of BDNF and TrkB in the retina of zebrafish remains unchanged during postembryonic development and adult life. Because TrkB expression in retina did not change with age, cells expressing TrkB may potentially be able to respond during the entire lifespan of zebrafish to BDNF either exogenously administered or endogenously produced, acting through paracrine mechanisms.