Detailed Visual Cortical Responses Generated by Retinal Sheet Transplants in Rats with Severe Retinal Degeneration.

摘要: To combat retinal degeneration, healthy fetal sheets have been successfully transplanted into both rodent models and humans, with synaptic connectivity between transplant degenerated host retina having confirmed. In studies, transplants shown to restore responses flashes of light in a region the superior colliculus corresponding location retina. determine quality detail visual information provided by transplant, responsivity was studied here at level cortex where higher perception is processed. For our model, we used transgenic Rho-S334ter line-3 rat (both sexes), which loses photoreceptors an early age effectively blind postnatal day 30. These rats received sheet one eye 24 40 d age. Three 10 months following surgery, visually responsive neurons were found regions primary matching that as highly selective normal stimulus orientation, size, contrast, spatial temporal frequencies. Conversely, response properties largely absent nontransplanted rats. Our data show can result remarkably function represents critical step toward developing effective remedy for impaired human population.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Age-related macular degeneration retinitis pigmentosa lead profound vision loss millions people worldwide. Many patients lose pigment epithelium photoreceptors. Hence, there great demand development efficient techniques allow long-term restoration. this study, dissected sheets, differentiate integrate severe degeneration. Remarkably, generated similar Furthermore, preserved within relay from lateral geniculate nucleus cortex, supporting their potential application curing associated