CyclinD2-mediated regulation of neurogenic output from the retinal ciliary margin is perturbed in albinism.

In albinism, aberrations in the ipsi-/contralateral retinal ganglion cell (RGC) ratio compromise the functional integrity of the binocular circuit. Here, we focus on the mouse ciliary margin zone (CMZ), a neurogenic niche at the embryonic peripheral retina, to investigate developmental processes regulating RGC neurogenesis and identity acquisition. We found that the mouse ventral CMZ generates predominantly ipsilaterally projecting RGCs, but this output is altered in the albino visual system because of CyclinD2 downregulation and disturbed timing of the cell cycle.

In vivo Vascular Injury Readouts in Mouse Retina to Promote Reproducibility.

Advancements in ophthalmic imaging tools offer an unprecedented level of access to researchers working with animal models of neurovascular injury. To properly leverage this greater translatability, there is a need to devise reproducible methods of drawing quantitative data from these images. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging can resolve retinal histology at micrometer resolution and reveal functional differences in vascular blood flow.

Optimization of the Retinal Vein Occlusion Mouse Model to Limit Variability.

Mouse models of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) are often used in ophthalmology to study hypoxic-ischemic injury in the neural retina. In this report, a detailed method pointing out critical steps is provided with recommendations for optimization to achieve consistently successful occlusion rates across different genetically modified mouse strains. The RVO mouse model consists primarily of the intravenous administration of a photosensitizer dye followed by laser photocoagulation using a retinal imaging microscope attached to an ophthalmic guided laser.

Endothelial activation of caspase-9 promotes neurovascular injury in retinal vein occlusion.

Central nervous system ischemic injury features neuronal dysfunction, inflammation and breakdown of vascular integrity. Here we show that activation of endothelial caspase-9 after hypoxia-ischemia is a critical event in subsequent dysfunction of the blood-retina barrier, using a panel of interrelated ophthalmic in vivo imaging measures in a mouse model of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Rapid nonapoptotic activation of caspase-9 and its downstream effector caspase-7 in endothelial cells promotes capillary ischemia and retinal neurodegeneration.

Influenza B virus reverse genetic backbones with improved growth properties in the EB66® cell line as basis for vaccine seed virus generation.

Vaccination remains the best available prophylaxis to prevent influenza virus infections, yet current inadequacies in influenza virus vaccine manufacturing often lead to vaccine shortages at times when the vaccine is most needed, as it was the case during the last influenza virus pandemic. Novel influenza virus vaccine production systems will be crucial to improve public health and safety. Here we report the optimization of influenza B virus growth in the proprietary EB66® cell line, currently in use for human vaccine production.