Light-induced anatomical alterations in retinal cells

Exploring the cellular behavior and real-time evaluation of light-induced stress in retinal cells requires advanced sensitive methods. Here, an analytical application of a bioimpedance system was developed to quantify cell morphology changes in light-induced anatomical response. Hence, an unprecedented light setup was established using a bioimpedance system to generate artificial light that stresses retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and the corresponding impedance was recorded. The dynamics of initial light-induced stress and the morphological changes were examined. This examination showed impedance drop, and the normalized variance ratios were used to quantify the changes. A rapid impedance drop was measured after exposure to the red and blue lights, whereas it was found that a minimum impedance drop was analyzed under the green light exposure. These data have revealed a strong, unconventional reliable model to detect the onset changes for photo-oxidative stress-related studies by the morphological changes of neurite retraction and cell body shrinkage. The data revealed that functions of the RGC-5 cell line under light exposure were diminished in cell strength and activity was hindered. These reduced functions might be related to the declined levels of some protein markers and stress factors. This is an effective model to study stress, morphological changes, and photodamage.