The status of cones in the rhodopsin mutant P23H-3 retina: light-regulated damage and repair in parallel with rods.

Purpose: This study tests whether cones in the rhodopsin-mutant transgenic P23H-3 retina are damaged by ambient light and whether subsequent light restriction allows repair of damaged cones.

Methods: P23H-3 rats were raised in scotopic cyclic (12 hours of 5 lux, 12 hours of dark) ambient light. At postnatal day 90 to 130, some were transferred to photopic conditions (12 hours of 300 lux, 12 hours of dark) for 1 week and then returned to scotopic conditions for up to 5 weeks. Photoreceptor function was assessed by the dark-adapted flash-evoked electroretinogram, using a two-flash paradigm to isolate the cone response. Outer-segment structure was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry for cone and rod opsins and by electron microscopy.

Results: Exposure for 1 week to photopic ambient light reduced the cone b-wave, the rod b-wave, and the rod a-wave by 40% to 60% and caused shortening and disorganization of cone and rod outer segments. Restoration of scotopic conditions for 2 to 5 weeks allowed partial recovery of the cone b-wave and the rod a- and b-waves, and regrowth of outer segments.

Conclusions: Modest increases in ambient light cause rapid and significantly reversible loss of cone and rod function in the P23H-3 retina. The reduction and recovery of cone function are associated with shortening and regrowth of outer segments. Because the P23H mutation affects a protein expressed specifically in rods, this study emphasizes the close dependence of cones on rod function. It also demonstrates the capacity of cones and rods to repair their structure and regain function.