Immunocytochemical analysis of the mouse retina

Transgenic mice provide a new approach for studying the structure and funct ion of the mammalian retina. In the past, the cellular organization of the mammalian retina was investigated preferentially in primates, cats, and rat s but rarely in mice. In the current study, the authors applied 42 differen t immunocytochemical markers to sections of the mouse retina and studied th eir cellular and synaptic localization by using confocal microscopy. The ma rkers applied were from three major groups: 1) antibodies against calcium-b inding proteins, such as calbindin, parvalbumin, recoverin, or caldendrin; 2) antibodies that recognize specific transmitter systems, such as glycine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, or acetylcholine; and 3) antibodies that recogniz e transmitter receptors and show their aggregation at specific synapses. On ly a few markers labeled only one cell type: Most antibodies recognized spe cific groups of neurons. These were analyzed in more detail in double-label ing experiments with different combinations of the antibodies. In light of their results, the authors offer a list of immunocytochemical markers that can be used to detect possible changes in the retinal organization of mutan t mice. J. Comp. Neurol. 424:1-23, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.