Purpose: To investigate the contents of green- and blue-sensitive cone phot
oreceptors in laminated rabbit retinal transplants.
Methods: Eleven rabbits each received a sheet of embryonic neuroretina into
the subretinal space in one eye. Vitrectomy was used in the procedure and
properly polarized flat transplants were placed on the host pigment epithel
ium. After 17-309 days the transplants were examined immunohistochemically
with specific antibodies against COS-1 (green-sensitive cones) and OS-2 (bl
ue-sensitive cones).
Results: All grafts displayed normal lamination with well developed photore
ceptor outer segments apposed to the host retinal pigment epithelium. Occas
ionally, rosettes were found at the transplant edges. Both COS-1 positive a
nd OS-2 positive cones were detected. In the laminated part of the grafts,
COS-1 positive cones were more numerous than OS-2 positive ones. In the ros
etted parts of the transplants the relationship between the cones was rever
sed.
Conclusion: Full-thickness embryonic rabbit retinal transplants develop int
o laminated retinas with well-developed photoreceptor outer segment. Both g
reen- and blue-sensitive cone photoreceptors are present and the ratio betw
een the two cone types is the same as in the normal adult rabbit retina.