J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1998 Dec;39(12):2988-2994.

Expression of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein in Human Retinal Macroglia by Immunogold Labeling

• Lee BR
• Park SK
• Ko MK

Abstract

There are two types of retinal macroglia: astrocyte and Muller cell. The major component of iintermediate filament in astrocyte is GFAP, recognized as the primary marker of astrocyte. Muller cells do not physiologically express GFAP in normal developing retina. A striking increase in GFAP expression. however, is observed in Muller cells under certain pathological condition. It is also suggested that this kind of changes of Muller cells in human retina is related with aging, and may be an early feature of pathogenesis of Age related macular degeneration. The goal of this study is to investigate the involvement of the human retinal macroglia in normal aging by immunogold labeling for electron. The goal of this study is to investigate the involvement of the human retinal macroglia in normal aging by immunogold labeling for electron microscopy. The sections of aged neurosensory retina showed the evidence of expression of GFAP by Muller cells. The results suggest, therefore, that Muller cells are induced to express GFAP during aging.

Keyword

Age related macular degeneration; GFAP; Immunogold labeling; Macroglia

MeSH Terms

Aging
Astrocytes
Ependymoglial Cells
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein*
Humans*
Macular Degeneration
Microscopy, Electron
Retina
Retinaldehyde*
Strikes, Employee
Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
Retinaldehyde