Calcium dynamics in retinal ganglion cells

视网膜神经节细胞（RGC）是视网膜中负责在将信号从眼睛传输到大脑之前处理和整合视觉信息的神经元。 这种处理的大部分负责精细视觉和感知对比度的能力，这是由单个RGC的活性的净增加、减少或没有变化引起的。 已经确定存在具有不同功能特性的许多RGC亚型;然而，缺乏这些RGC亚型的体内功能分析。 体内眼科成像技术允许可视化和跟踪活体动物中的单个RGC，这将使我们能够研究它们的功能和结构特性。因此，本建议的目的是测量RGC的光诱发反应，以提高我们对不同RGC亚型及其功能的理解。 我们的研究将在一个基因工程或转基因小鼠的RGCs表达一种特殊的荧光蛋白，GCaMP 3检查RGCs的功能反应和结构特征。 当视网膜受到光刺激时，GCaMP 3荧光可以在体内和非侵入性地成像。 测量GCaMP 3荧光的发生和变化程度将使我们能够表征RGC的不同亚型，并将其结构和功能联系起来。 这些研究的结果将大大提高我们对视觉反应影响不同类型的RGC及其功能的理解。

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are neurons in the retina responsible for processing and integrating visual information prior to transmitting signals from the eye to the brain. Much of this processing is responsible for fine vision and ability to perceive contrast which results from a net increase, decrease or no change in the activity of individual RGCs. It has been established that there are many subtypes of RGCs with varied functional properties; however, in vivo functional analysis of these RGC subtypes is lacking. In vivo ophthalmic imaging techniques permit visualization and tracking of individual RGCs in living animals, which will allow us to study their functional and structural properties. Thus, the objective of this proposal is to measure light-evoked responses of RGCs to improve our understanding of different RGC subtypes and their functions. Our research will examine functional responses and structural features of RGCs in a genetically engineered or transgenic mouse whose RGCs express a special fluorescent protein, GCaMP3. When the retina is stimulated with light, GCaMP3 fluorescence can be imaged in vivo and non-invasively. Measuring the onset and degree of changes in GCaMP3 fluorescence will allow us to characterize different subtypes of RGCs and relate their structures and functions. Results of these studies will vastly improve our understanding of visual responses impact different types of RGCs and their functions.