Retinal Glial Cells Enhance Human Vision Acuity

Labin, Amichai M.; Ribak, Erez N.

doi:10.1103/physrevlett.104.158102

Cited by 46 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 12 publications

(30 reference statements)

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“…1). In order to calculate light propagation through the Müller data-cube, we have developed 11 and applied a known algorithm, the fast Fourier transform beam propagation method (FFT BPM) [17][18][19][20][21] . This is a direct three-dimensional (3D) numerical solution of the wave equation, also known as the scalar Helmholtz equation 22,23 :…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The refractive indices of Müller cells are higher than those of their surrounding throughout the retina's depth 10,11 and therefore the cells can be regarded as natural optical fibres 17,23,24 . The refractive index profile and the cell's structure determine the efficiency of light guiding for the various wavelengths.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following anaesthesia with a mixture of ketamine 100 mg per kg þ xylazine 30 mg per kg, we selectively labelled cone photoreceptors using a modified version of a previously described method 11 . In this modified version, NanoFil sub-microliter injection system with UMP-III microsyringe pump (World Precision Instruments, USA) facilitated precise and smooth injection of small dye volumes into the guinea pig vitreous humour.…”

Section: Alignment Of Cones and Müller Cells Light Guidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This 'inverted' retinal structure is expected to cause blurring of the image and reduction in the photon flux reaching the photoreceptors, thus reducing their sensitivity [6][7][8][9] . It has been recently reported that retinal Müller cells act as light guides serving to transfer light across the retina, from the vitreo-retinal border towards the photoreceptors [10][11][12] . However, the basic question remains: How does light propagation via Müller cells through the neuronal layers of the retina affect vision?…”

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confidence: 99%

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Müller cells separate between wavelengths to improve day vision with minimal effect upon night vision

et al. 2014

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Vision starts with the absorption of light by the retinal photoreceptors-cones and rods. However, due to the 'inverted' structure of the retina, the incident light must propagate through reflecting and scattering cellular layers before reaching the photoreceptors. It has been recently suggested that Müller cells function as optical fibres in the retina, transferring light illuminating the retinal surface onto the cone photoreceptors. Here we show that Müller cells are wavelength-dependent wave-guides, concentrating the green-red part of the visible spectrum onto cones and allowing the blue-purple part to leak onto nearby rods. This phenomenon is observed in the isolated retina and explained by a computational model, for the guinea pig and the human parafoveal retina. Therefore, light propagation by Müller cells through the retina can be considered as an integral part of the first step in the visual process, increasing photon absorption by cones while minimally affecting rod-mediated vision.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Alignment Of Cones and Müller Cells Light Guidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Müller cells separate between wavelengths to improve day vision with minimal effect upon night vision

et al. 2014

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“…10) provides index matching between the vitreous fluid and the retina, and reduces loss of light be reflection at the inner retinal surface. More detailed simulations of light propagation through human Müller cells suggest that (i) a significant increase of the intensity at the photoreceptors is obtained, (ii) for pupils up to 6 mm width, the coupling between neighboring cells is only a few percent, and (iii) low cross talk over the whole visible spectrum also explains the insensitivity to chromatic aberrations of the eye (Labin & Ribak, 2010). In addition to these simulations, several different lines of experimental data support the view that Müller cells are light-guiding elements in the vertebrate retina.…”

Section: Wwwintechopencommentioning

confidence: 99%

Live Cells as Optical Fibers in the Vertebrate Retina

Reichenbach¹,

Franze²,

Agte³

et al. 2012

Selected Topics on Optical Fiber Technology

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New functions of Müller cells

Reichenbach

Bringmann

2013

Glia

606

464

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Müller cells, the major type of glial cells in the retina, are responsible for the homeostatic and metabolic support of retinal neurons. By mediating transcellular ion, water, and bicarbonate transport, Müller cells control the composition of the extracellular space fluid. Müller cells provide trophic and anti-oxidative support of photoreceptors and neurons and regulate the tightness of the blood-retinal barrier. By the uptake of glutamate, Müller cells are more directly involved in the regulation of the synaptic activity in the inner retina. This review gives a survey of recently discoved new functions of Müller cells. Müller cells are living optical fibers that guide light through the inner retinal tissue. Thereby they enhance the signal/noise ratio by minimizing intraretinal light scattering and conserve the spatial distribution of light patterns in the propagating image. Müller cells act as soft, compliant embedding for neurons, protecting them in case of mechanical trauma, and also as soft substrate required for neurite growth and neuronal plasticity. Müller cells release neuroactive signaling molecules which modulate neuronal activity, are implicated in the mediation of neurovascular coupling, and mediate the homeostasis of the extracellular space volume under hypoosmotic conditions which are a characteristic of intense neuronal activity. Under pathological conditions, a subset of Müller cells may differentiate to neural progenitor/stem cells which regenerate lost photoreceptors and neurons. Increasing knowledge of Müller cell function and responses in the normal and diseased retina will have great impact for the development of new therapeutic approaches for retinal diseases.

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Retinal Glial Cells Enhance Human Vision Acuity

Cited by 46 publications

References 12 publications

Müller cells separate between wavelengths to improve day vision with minimal effect upon night vision

Müller cells separate between wavelengths to improve day vision with minimal effect upon night vision

Live Cells as Optical Fibers in the Vertebrate Retina

New functions of Müller cells

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