Analysis of excitatory and inhibitory spontaneous synaptic activity in mouse retinal ganglion cells.

Spontaneous inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs and sEPSCs) were identified and characterized with whole cell and perforated patch voltage-clamp recordings in adult mouse retinal ganglion cells. Pharmacological dissection revealed that all cells were driven by spontaneous synaptic inputs mediated by glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors. One-half (7/14) of the cells also received glycinergic spontaneous synaptic inputs.

Expression of CD44 isoforms in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells.

Purpose: To determine the expression of CD44 isoforms in cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) and to discuss their possible relationship with outflow facility.

Methods: CD44 isoform expression in cultured HTM was qualitatively examined using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR analysis.

Results: Immunohistochemistry of cultured HTM showed intense staining with a CD44s antibody, and with antibodies against CD44 exon 7, exon 11-12 and exon 14.

Dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium currents in freshly isolated human and monkey retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Purpose: The authors previously reported that rat retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells exhibit an ionic current through voltage-operated calcium channels that is dihydropyridine sensitive. They attempted to record the same current from freshly isolated fetal or adult primate RPE cells, as well as from cultured cells.

Methods: The whole-cell version of the patch-clamp technique was applied to RPE cells freshly isolated by enzymatic dissociation from fetal human and adult human and monkey eyes, as well as cultured fetal and adult human RPE cells.

Voltage-operated calcium channels in fresh and cultured rat retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Purpose: There is little known about the membrane properties of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells with respect to calcium. The authors attempted to characterize membrane calcium channels from solitary fresh and cultured RPE cells from normal and dystrophic rat retinas.

Methods: RPE cells were enzymatically dissociated from eyes of neonatal rats of several strains, including dystrophic RCS strains.