Objective To observe the retinal ultrastructure of the human fetal at the age of 9 months, and to investigate the clinical significance of the observation on retinal neuron development during the prenatal period.Methods Four human fetal eyes of 2 fetus at the gestational age of 9 months, including 1 at 35 and the other at 36 weeks, were obtained after termination of pregnancy due to trauma. The gestational ages of the fetus were estimated according to both last menstrual period (LMP) of the pregnant women and the weight/crownheel length of fetus at the delivery. From each eyeball, 4 pieces of retina at the posterior pole were obtained and observed after specimens handling according to the procedure of routine electron microscopy. Eight pieces of retina which were randomly selected from total of 16 pieces of retina in each group were processed and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Permissions from pregnant women and family members were guaranteed.Results At the gestational age of 9 months, the outer nuclear layer of fetal retina contained 5 to 6 layers of photoreceptor cells (PRC), and sphericallike membrane structures were found outside of the outer limiting membrane (OLM). Among many tightaligned inner segments of PRCs there was zonula adherens of OLM, mitochondrias at inner side of OLM, and cilium at outer side of OLM. Outer segment of PRCs were short and contained a few irregularly arranged disc membrane. Some PRC had a multishaped nucleus in which equal amount of euchromatin and heterochromatin. There were only few and thin axon branches from photoreceptor cells, and very few axons contacted with inner nuclear layer (INL) and no typical synapse was found. The INL contained 4 to 5 layers of cell bodies, in which many cellular nuclear had uneven density of euchromatin and heterochromatin; some were lobulated nucleus with clear karyotheca. In inner plexiform layer (IPL), the nerve cells had small branches, and only little connection among the synapses and few synapse structures were found. Although not many retinal ganglion cells (RGC) existed,RGC had both intact cell membrane and some rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER).The karyotheca of RGC had double-layers structures, and the nucleus was mainly consisted of euchromatin. Internal limiting membrane (ILM) had doublelayer membrane structures, and the wellarranged nerve fiber layer was located at the outer side of ILM, with some micropores on the surface. Conclusions At the gestational age of 9 months, all layers of the human retinal has been formed, but some cell structure and cell connections are not yet mature, suggesting that at this time of period, human retina is still at an important stage of developing and remodeling.
Objective To observe the ultrastructural characteristics of human retinal progenitor cells cultured in vitro. Methods Six 5-month-old human fetuses（12 eyes）without eye diseases were selected. Retinal progenitor cells from the retina of one eye of each fetus were cultured in vitro，and observed by transmission electronic microscopy（TEM）; while those from the other eye were directly observed by TEM. Results Abundant heterochromatin were found in the karyon of 5-month embryonic retinal neuroepithelial cells，and the figure of the karyons was irregular.A few scattered initial cells were seen in retinal neuroepithelial layer with large karyon，smooth surface，abundant euchromatin，and distinct nucleolus.The human retinal progenitor cells cultured in vitro had the same ultrastructural characteristics as the initial cells:with huge karyon which almost occupied the whole cell，little cytoplasm，distint nucleolus，abundant euchromatin，and little heterochromatin.The cells clung to each other in the neural globoid cell mass.The size of the outer cells was large，and karyokinesis could be found. Conclusion The cultured human retinal progenitor cells are provided with the same ultrastructure characteristics as the initial cells. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 185-187)
ObjectiveTo investigate relationship between ultrastructural changes and expression of basic fibroblast growth factor of diabetic retinopathy in rats.MethodsDiabetes was induced in rats with a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and divided into normal control group and 1- , 3- and 5- month diabetes group. The paraffin slide was observed by in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, and retinal ultrastructure was examined by transmission electron microscopy.ResultsNo change of retinal ultrastructure was found in the control group. Different degrees of ultrastructure lesion were found in 1-month diabetic rats with fragmental increase of thickness of basement membrane, swelling of endothelial cells and obvions fingerlike processes in the capillary cavity, disconcentration of heterochromatin both in endothelium and pericyte, and swelling and degeneration of mitochondrion. The edema of endothelial cells of 3-month diabetic rats was more serious than that of 1month ones, and the capillary cavity was nearly occluded. In 5-month diabetic rats, the basement membrane was unevenly thickened, or obviously split. The positive rate of in-situ hybridization in 3-month diabetic rats was 77.8% while the positive rate of immunohistochemical stain was 55.6%, which increased to 88.9% in 5-month diabetic rats.ConclusionsThe occurrence of the ultrastructural changes in STZ rats with diabetic retinopathy is earlier than that of the expression of bFGF.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2003,19:348-351)
Objective To study on the ultrastructural characteristic of segments of photoreceptors from neonatal retinas for supporting donor retina choice of retinal transplantation． Methods Photoreceptors from neonatal calf and adult calf were analysed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy． Results Segments of photoreceptors from neonatal calf appeared the mushroom pattern, in which, distal end of outer segment which was ball-shaped formed the head with mushrooms appearance, and the inner segments along with some of outer segments formed the body with mushrooms appearance． Within the outer segment, plasma membranes of adjacent evaginations form a disk subsequently． The a rray of most disks were vertical to the entire length of segments, but some were parallel and slope to．Owing to the incomplete formation, some rim of disk near distal end of outer segment revealed step-shaped appearance． The distal end of outer segment displays some processes consisted of membranous discs, much vesicular material and mitochondria, much rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and numerous polyso mes．Segments of photoreceptor connected with outer nuclear layer via the external limiting membrane． Conclusion The typical morphol ogical structures of outer segments suggest the immature and b gowth ability of photoreceptors of the retina of neonatal calf, and therefore the competence for donor material of retinal transplantation． (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2001,227-229)
Objective To study the global and histological changes of myopia and explore its pathogenic mechanism. Methods Chicks were reared with monocular suture of eyelid. When myopia had been confirmed by optometry, eyeballs were removed and subjected subsequently to measurement and light and electron microscopies. Results Three dimensions in the eyeballs of suture group were all enlarged markedly and the mean diopter was -15.00D. Under the light microscope, rod outer segment elongated and connected With PREC in suture group. With micrometer measure, cartilaginous sclera thickened and retina became thinner. Under electron microscope, rod outer segment elongated and membrane disc was intact. In the cytoplasm of RPEC, the phagosomes containing fractions of the membrane disc of outer segment were remarkably decreased. Conclusion Early form deprivation may affect the drop of membrane disc and cause eyeball enlargement; thus, myopia forms. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1999,15:20-23)
Objective To observe the enzymic histochemical and ultrastructral changes of cryopreserved human retina. Methods To compare the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)， succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and ATPase in cryopreserved retina with those in fresh retina and to observe the histological and ultrastructural changes of cryopreserved retina. Results There was no statistical difference between the activity of LDH，SDH and ATPase in fresh and in cryopreserved retina. Histologically, in the cryopreserved retina, fluid in neural fiber and outer plexiform layers, as well as in cone and rod layer, was sligthly more than normal. The ultrastructure is normal except that the mitochondria was swollen in different degree. Conclusion Cryopreservation may be an effective method for keeping the retinal cells alive for a long period and might free the transplantation from dependance on aviability of fresh dornor tissue. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2000，16：139-212)
Objective：To observe the histochemical changes of retinal photochemical damage in rats. Methods：The changes of retinal ultrastructure were observed.The concentration of malondaldehyde(MDA) was tested and the activity the histochemical change of cytochrome oxidase (CCO) and (Mg ++ -ATPasw) were evaluated on the retnal photochemical damage in SD rats. Results：At the 6th hour after light exposure,the swelling appwared at the nuclei of photoreceptor,the mitochondria of inner segment.The apical microvilli of RPE disappeared and lysosomes increased in RPE.On the 6th day after light exposure,the changes became more obvious.While on the 14th day after light expose the nuclei of photoreceptors and the inner segments renewed but the arrangement of the disk was lose;and the microvilli appeared of the disk was lose;and the microvilli appeared at the tip of RPE.The Activity of CCO and Mg ++ -ATPase decreased and MDA increased in retina at the 6th hour and on the 6th day and they recovered on the 14th day after light exposure. Conclusion：Lipd peroxidation that broke the cell membrane system of photoreceptor which induced changes of the cell ultrastru cture abd the activity of enzyme might relate to pathogenesis in retinal photochemical damage. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:38-40)
ObjectiveTo investigate the medium and long-term influence of silicon oil versus heavy silicone oil on rabbit retinas. Methods28 health standard rabbits were randomly divided into A, B and C groups, with 12, 12 and 4 rabbits respectively. All rabbits received routine vitrectomy and tamponade with silicone oil (group A), or heavy silicone oil (group B) or balanced salt solution (group C). After 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks, the retinal b-wave amplitude was measured by ERG, posterior retinal thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Retinal ultrastructure and tissue morphology were observed by transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy. ResultsCompare to group C, the b-wave amplitude decreased at 4 weeks after surgery, and decreased at 8 weeks after surgery for group B, and decreased at 8 weeks after surgery, and decreased at 24 weeks after surgery for group A. The decreases were greater in group B than group A at 8, 12, 24 weeks after surgery, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The posterior retinal thickness of group A and B was thinner than group C at 24 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05). The decreases were greater in group B than group A, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy and optical microscopy revealed severe pathological changes of retinal ultrastructure and morphology in group A and B rabbit eyes, at 12 weeks and 8 weeks after surgery respectively. The changes were more severe in group B and group A, including edema and necrosis in cone/rod cells, in disk membranes, mitochondria, cytoplasm, nucleus and other organelles. The morphological changes were also more severe in group B and group A, including degenerations of ganglion cell layer, inner nuclear layer changes. Those changes became more severe when the tamponade time extended. ConclusionThe heavy silicone influence on visual function, ultrastructures, histomorphology of rabbit retinas is much worse than the silicon oil, and the effect is more significant with its time prolong.