Dataset Information

Microglia in the primate macula: specializations in microglial distribution and morphology with retinal position and with aging.

ABSTRACT: Microglia, the principal resident immune cell in the retina, play constitutive roles in immune surveillance and synapse maintenance, and are also associated with retinal disease, including those occurring in the macula. Perspectives on retinal microglia function have derived largely from rodent models and how these relate to the macula-bearing primate retina is unclear. In this study, we examined microglial distribution and cellular morphology in the adult rhesus macaque retina, and performed comparative characterizations in three retinal locations along the center-to-periphery axis (parafoveal, macular, and the peripheral retina). We found that microglia density peaked in the parafoveal retina and decreased in the peripheral retina. Individual microglial morphology reflected macular specialization, with macular microglia demonstrating the largest and most complex dendritic arbors relative to other retinal locations. Comparing retinal microglia between young and middle-aged animals, microglial density increased in the macular, but not in the peripheral retina with age, while microglial morphology across all locations remained relatively unchanged. Our findings indicate that microglial distribution and morphology demonstrate regional specialization in the retina, correlating with gradients of other retinal cell types. As microglia are innate immune cells implicated in age-related macular diseases, age-related microglial changes may be related to the increased vulnerability of the aged macula to immune-related neurodegeneration.

SUBMITTER: Singaravelu J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5542874 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Microglia in the primate macula: specializations in microglial distribution and morphology with retinal position and with aging.

Singaravelu Janani J Zhao Lian L Fariss Robert N RN Nork T Michael TM Wong Wai T WT

Brain structure & function 20170217 6

Microglia, the principal resident immune cell in the retina, play constitutive roles in immune surveillance and synapse maintenance, and are also associated with retinal disease, including those occurring in the macula. Perspectives on retinal microglia function have derived largely from rodent models and how these relate to the macula-bearing primate retina is unclear. In this study, we examined microglial distribution and cellular morphology in the adult rhesus macaque retina, and performed co ...[more]

PMID: 28213784

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Project description:Variation in terrestrial mammalian skull morphology is known to constrain feeding performance, which in turn influences dietary habits and ultimately fitness. Among mustelids, otters have evolved two feeding specializations: underwater raptorial capture of prey (mouth-oriented) and capture of prey by hand (hand-oriented), both of which have likely associations with morphology and bite performance. However, feeding biomechanics and performance data for otters are sparse. The first goal of this study was to investigate the relationships between feeding morphology and bite performance among two mouth-oriented piscivores (Pteronura brasiliensis and Lontra canadensis) and two hand-oriented invertebrate specialists (Enhydra lutris and Aonyx cinerea). Since other vertebrate taxa that are mouth-oriented piscivores tend to possess longer skulls and mandibles, with jaws designed for increased velocity at the expense of biting capability, we hypothesized that mouth-oriented otters would also possess long, narrow skulls indicative of high velocity jaws. Conversely, hand-oriented otters were expected to possess short, blunt skulls with adaptations to increase bite force and crushing capability. Concomitant with these skull shapes we hypothesized that sea otters would possess a greater mandibular bluntness index, providing for a greater mechanical advantage compared to other otter species investigated. A second goal was to examine morphological variation at a finer scale by assessing variation in cranial morphology among three sea otter subspecies. Since diet varies among these subspecies, and their populations are isolated, we hypothesized that the magnitude of mandibular bluntness and concomitant mechanical advantage, as well as occlusal surface area would also vary within species according to their primary food source (fish versus hard invertebrates). Functional expectations were met for comparisons among and within species. Among species the phylogeny suggests a deeply rooted transition to alternative foraging types. Yet within foraging types alternative species were also strongly variable, suggesting either selective differences in the extent or nature of realized foraging mode, or an accumulation of non-adaptive changes during the long independent evolutionary history. At the finest scale, variation among subspecies indicates that trophic adaptation occurred rapidly, making it interesting that we happened to find both deeply and shallowly-rooted transformations associated with diet type in otter species and subspecies.

Dataset Information

Microglia in the primate macula: specializations in microglial distribution and morphology with retinal position and with aging.

Publications

Microglia in the primate macula: specializations in microglial distribution and morphology with retinal position and with aging.

Similar Datasets

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