Immunohistochemical markers in full-thickness embryonic rabbit retinal transplants

Purpose: To examine immunohistochemical markers in straight, well-laminated retinal transplants with special attention paid to the interphotoreceptor matrix, the Muller cells and the ganglion cells as these three retinal comp onents have been abnormal in transplants produced by previous methods. Meth ods: Nine rabbits underwent subretinal transplantation of a complete full-t hickness embryonic neuroretina. After 31 or 49 days, the transplants were s tained for light microscopy and processed for immunohistochemistry. Results : Six of 9 eyes contained transplants with straight, well-laminated regions with all light-microscopic characteristics of a normal retina, in the oute r segment region, the expression of peanut agglutinin showed segmental labe ling of cone domains in the interphotoreceptor matrix, and interphotorecept or retinoid binding protein immunoreactivity was found. Glial fibrillary ac idic protein and vimentin immunoreactivity revealed normal Muller cell morp hology. in 3 transplants the AB5-antibody-labeled ganglion cells in the gan glion cell layer and all transplants contained nerve fibers in the nerve fi ber layer labeled by an antibody against neurofilament of 160 kD. The latte r also labeled fibers connecting the transplant with the host. Conclusions: Full-thickness embryonic retinal transplants develop the normal retinal ap pearance and display several of the retinal components necessary for normal function which are not found in transplants produced by previous methods.