Early Neural Cell Death Is an Extensive, Dynamic Process in the Embryonic Chick and Mouse Retina. (9th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chavarría, Teresa; Baleriola, Jimena; Mayordomo, Raquel; de Pablo, Flora; de la Rosa, Enrique J.
• Other Names: Alfandari Dominique Academic Editor.; Aronheim Ami Academic Editor.; Balajee Adayabalam S. Academic Editor.; Chamberlin Helen M. Academic Editor.; Dricu Anica Academic Editor.; Gupta Bhagwati Academic Editor.; Kastner Anne Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: TheScientificWorldjournal. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-04-09
• Subjects: Science -- Periodicals; Technology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/627240
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2356-6140

Abstract

Abstract : Orchestrated proliferation, differentiation, and cell death contribute to the generation of the complex cytoarchitecture of the central nervous system, including that of the neuroretina. However, few studies have comprehensively compared the spatiotemporal patterns of these 3 processes, or their relative magnitudes. We performed a parallel study in embryonic chick and mouse retinas, focusing on the period during which the first neurons, the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), are generated. The combination of in vivo BrdU incorporation, immunolabeling of retinal whole mounts for BrdU and for the neuronal markers Islet1/2 and β III-tubulin, and TUNEL allowed for precise cell scoring and determination the spatiotemporal patterns of cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. As predicted, proliferation preceded differentiation. Cell death and differentiation overlapped to a considerable extent, although the magnitude of cell death exceeded that of neuronal differentiation. Precise quantification of the population of recently born RGCs, identified by BrdU and β III-tubulin double labeling, combined with cell death inhibition using a pan-caspase inhibitor, revealed that apoptosis decreased this population by half shortly after birth. Taken together, our findings provide important insight into the relevance of cell death in neurogenesis.