The role of reactive gliosis of Müller cells in retinal ischemia

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Reichenbach
• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells ; Ophthalmology
• Term: from 2013 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 234236646

Dysfunction of blood supply (ischemia) of the nervous tissue including the retina may cause massive neuronal cell death and loss of function of the tissue. Müller glial cells, the dominating macroglial cell of the retina, undergo a reactive gliosis after retinal ischemia and other retinal injuries and diseases. This process is characterized by typical alterations in gene expression, morphology, and physiology. Gliosis is often called janus-faced, because these alterations may have beneficial as well as detrimental effects on the nervous tissue. The exact role of the glial reaction in the course of various neuronal diseases is still in the focus of research. In the current project, two animal models for retinal ischemia (transiently increased intraocular pressure and sustained closure of the central retinal artery) should be applied on different transgenic mice strains. These mice are lacking certain proteins or cellular functions which may be involved in the development of reactive gliosis. After ischemia, functional alterations of Müller cells and the degree of neuronal degeneration should be investigated in these mice. One aim of the study is to better understand the process of reactive gliosis in the central nervous system using the retinal Müller cell as a typical glial cell. This should help to develop therapeutical approaches for a selective manipulation of defined glial cell reactions, to achieve a positive influence on the postischemic cellular alterations.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants