AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE C-FOS PROTOONCOGENE IN THE DEVELOPING HUMAN RETINA

The localization and distribution of the protooncogene c-fos were stud ied immunohistochemically in the retina of human fetuses ranging in ag e from 15 to 40 weeks of gestation. The highest levels of immunoreacti vity were observed in the retinae of younger fetuses, decreasing in in tensity with increasing age. At 15 weeks of gestation intense immunore activity was observed in the inner nuclear layer while the photorecept or cells exhibited moderate staining. At 26 weeks of gestation, immuno reactivity in the inner nuclear layer was reduced. The ganglion cells, amacrine cells and photoreceptor cells showed moderate immunopositivi ty throughout the 26-40 weeks period. The role of c-fos in development is discussed in the light of its other known functions.