ImagePAD, a novel counting application for the Apple iPad, used to quantify axons in the mouse optic nerve.

The present article introduces a new and easy to use counting application for the Apple iPad. The application "ImagePAD" takes advantage of the advanced user interface features offered by the Apple iOS platform, simplifying the rather tedious task of quantifying features in anatomical studies. For example, the image under analysis can be easily panned and zoomed using iOS-supported multi-touch gestures without losing the spatial context of the counting task, which is extremely important for ensuring count accuracy.

A crystallin gene network in the mouse retina.

The present study was designed to examine the regulation of crystallin genes and protein in the mouse retina using the BXD recombinant inbred (RI) strains. Illumina Sentrix BeadChip Arrays (MouseWG-6v2) were used to analyze mRNA levels in 75 BXD RI strains along with the parental strains (C57Bl/6J and DBA/2J), and the reciprocal crosses in the Hamilton Eye Institute (HEI) Retina Dataset (www.genenetwork.

Innate immune network in the retina activated by optic nerve crush.

Purpose: Innate immunity plays a role in many diseases, including glaucoma and AMD. We have used transcriptome profiling in the mouse to identify a network of genes involved in innate immunity that is present in the normal retina and that is activated by optic nerve crush (ONC).

Methods: Using a recombinant inbred (RI) mouse strain set (BXD, C57BL/6 crossed with DBA/2J mice), we generate expression datasets (Illumina WG 6.

A practical approach to optic nerve crush in the mouse.

Our goal is to provide an instructional resource to help others wishing to use the optic nerve crush (ONC) as an experimental procedure. The process is described beginning with the anesthesia, followed by positioning of the mouse, the surgery itself, and post-surgical care. We analyzed the effect of ONC on retinal blood flow, using optical coherence tomography doppler.

Dose-dependent treatment of optic nerve crush by exogenous systemic mutant erythropoietin.

The goal of the present study was to determine the minimum concentration of systemic erythropoietin-R76E required for neuroprotection in the retina. Erythropoietin (EPO) exhibits neuroprotective effects in both in vitro and in vivo models of neuronal cell death although its classical function is the regulation of red blood cell production. It can cross the blood brain barrier and therefore can be delivered systemically to affect the retina.

Genetic networks in the mouse retina: growth associated protein 43 and phosphatase tensin homolog network.

Purpose: The present study examines the structure and covariance of endogenous variation in gene expression across the recently expanded family of C57BL/6J (B) X DBA/2J (D) Recombinant Inbred (BXD RI) strains of mice. This work is accompanied by a highly interactive database that can be used to generate and test specific hypotheses. For example, we define the genetic network regulating growth associated protein 43 (Gap43) and phosphatase tensin homolog (Pten).

Genetic pathways regulating glutamate levels in retinal Müller cells.

Müller cells serve many functions including the regulation of extracellular glutamate levels. The product of two genes, Slc1a3 [aka solute carrier family 1 (glial high affinity glutamate transporter), member 3] and Glul (aka glutamine synthetase) are the primary role players that transport glutamate into the Müller cell and convert it into glutamine. In this study, we sought to identify the genetic regulation of both genes.

Gene expression in the mouse eye: an online resource for genetics using 103 strains of mice.

Purpose: Individual differences in patterns of gene expression account for much of the diversity of ocular phenotypes and variation in disease risk. We examined the causes of expression differences, and in their linkage to sequence variants, functional differences, and ocular pathophysiology.

Methods: mRNAs from young adult eyes were hybridized to oligomer microarrays (Affymetrix M430v2).

Differential response of C57BL/6J mouse and DBA/2J mouse to optic nerve crush.

Background: Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death is the final consequence of many blinding diseases, where there is considerable variation in the time course and severity of RGC loss. Indeed, this process appears to be influenced by a wide variety of genetic and environmental factors. In this study we explored the genetic basis for differences in ganglion cell death in two inbred strains of mice.