Neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive neurons in the mammalian retina

The development of immunocytochemistry has led to a better understanding of synaptic transmission carried out by neuroactive substances in the mammali an brain, including the retina. In the mammalian retina, nitric oxide (NO) is widely accepted as a neuromodulator. Histochemistry based on NADPH-d and immunocytochemistry based on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) have been used to identify the presence of nitric oxide in the mammalian retina. Certain typ es of amacrine cells and a class of displaced amacrine cells have been labe led consistently in all mammalian retinae studied to date. Other cell types showing NADPH-d reactivity or NOS immunoreactivity varied between species. NADPH-d reactive or NOS immunoreactive amacrine cells may serve as a sourc e of NO for amacrine, bipolar, and ganglion cells in the inner retina, wher eas interplexiform cells, bipolar cells, and horizontal cells may serve as a source of NO for the outer retina of mammals. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.