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Stretch To See - Lateral tension strongly determines cell survival in long-term cultures of adult porcine retina.

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Author

Summary, in English

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of lateral tension as a survival factor for retinal explants in vitro. The central nervous system (CNS) resides in a highly mechanical milieu. However, the importance of biomechanical homeostasis for normal CNS function has not been extensively explored. Diseases in which normal mechanical forces are disrupted, such as retinal detachment of the eye, are highly debilitating and the mechanisms underlying disease progression are not fully understood. METHODS: Using a porcine animal model, we developed a novel technique of culturing adult retinal explants under stretch for up to 10 days in vitro (DIV). These were compared to standard (no stretch) and free-floating cultured explants. Cell survival was analysed using immunohistochemistry, and retinal architecture using hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: Compared to unstretched specimens, which at 10 DIV degenerate into a gliotic cell mass, stretched retinas display a profound preservation of the laminar retinal architecture as well as significantly increased neuronal cell survival, with no signs of impending gliosis. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that biomechanical tension is a vital factor in the maintenance of retinal tissue integrity, and suggest that mechanical cues are important components of pathological responses within the CNS.

Publishing year

2013

Language

English

Pages

1845-1856

Publication/Series

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

Volume

54

Issue

3

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Inc.

Topic

  • Ophthalmology

Status

Published

Research group

  • Lund Vision Group

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1552-5783