Müller glia provide essential tensile strength to the developing retina
Macdonald RB, Randlett O, Oswald J, Yoshimatsu T, Franze K, Harris WA (2015)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2015
Journal
Book Volume: 210
Pages Range: 1075-1083
Journal Issue: 7
Abstract
To investigate the cellular basis of tissue integrity in a vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) tissue, we eliminated Müller glial cells (MG) from the zebrafish retina. For well over a century, glial cells have been ascribed a mechanical role in the support of neural tissues, yet this idea has not been specifically tested in vivo. We report here that retinas devoid of MG rip apart, a defect known as retinoschisis. Using atomic force microscopy, we show that retinas without MG have decreased resistance to tensile stress and are softer than controls. Laser ablation of MG processes showed that these cells are under tension in the tissue. Thus, we propose that MG act like springs that hold the neural retina together, finally confirming an active mechanical role of glial cells in the CNS.
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APA:
Macdonald, R.B., Randlett, O., Oswald, J., Yoshimatsu, T., Franze, K., & Harris, W.A. (2015). Müller glia provide essential tensile strength to the developing retina. The Journal of Cell Biology, 210(7), 1075-1083. https://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201503115
MLA:
Macdonald, Ryan B., et al. "Müller glia provide essential tensile strength to the developing retina." The Journal of Cell Biology 210.7 (2015): 1075-1083.
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