Development of the human retina in the absence of ganglion cells

Retinal development was studied in eyes from fetal and neonatal human anencephalic (AnC) and normal age-matched infants to determine the time of retinal ganglion cell (GC) loss and its effect on the development of other retinal neurons. At fetal week (Fwk) 14, GC loss was evident in central retina and by Fwk 19–20 almost all GC were absent, although immunocytochemical labeling for GC markers brain 3, neurofilament M and parvalbumin detected a few GC in the AnC far periphery at older ages. The inner nuclear and inner plexiform (IPL) layers showed variable amounts of thinning but all normal bipolar (BP) and horizontal cell markers were still present. The amacrine (AM) labels calbindin and calretinin were markedly reduced. Lamination for these markers in the IPL was less organized than in normal retinas, with BP and AM markers extending into the degenerated GC layer. Cone and rod photoreceptors had normal morphology and topography in AnC retina and each expressed normal phototransduction and synaptic markers. The prospective fovea was identified in AnC neonatal retina by cone packing and the absence of immunolabeled rod photoreceptors. In one AnC neonatal retina, blood vessels and astrocytes extended across the inner retina in the putative fovea and there was no evidence of a pit. In another AnC neonatal retina, blood vessels and astrocytes formed a foveal avascular zone in the inner retina and a shallow pit was present within this zone. However, both foveas showed evidence for the onset of cone elongation and packing. These findings support the model of Springer and Hendrickson [2005; Vis. Neurosci. 22, 171] in which the foveal avascular zone is critical for pit formation, but suggest that mechanisms inherent to the outer retina may be involved in early stages of foveal cone packing.