Neuronal and glial cell changes are determined by retinal vascularization in retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

We have characterized the vascular, neuronal, and glial changes in oxygen-induced retinopathy, a model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to either 80% ± 2% oxygen to postnatal day P11 and then room air until P18 (ROP) or room air for the entire duration (controls). Retinal structure was examined under the light microscope and following postembedding immunocytochemistry in central, midperipheral, and peripheral regions. Müller cells were evaluated immunocytochemically with glial fibrillary acidic protein. The extent of vascularization was established histologically. ROP caused significant thinning of the inner cellular and plexiform layers, which be..