Neuronal and glial cell expression of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors in the rat retina

LE Downie; K Vessey; A Miller; MM Ward; MJ Pianta; AJ Vingrys; JL Wilkinson-Berka; EL Fletcher

Journal article

Neuronal and glial cell expression of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors in the rat retina

LE Downie, K Vessey, A Miller, MM Ward, MJ Pianta, AJ Vingrys, JL Wilkinson-Berka, EL Fletcher

Neuroscience | PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD | Published : 2009

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2009.02.084

Abstract

The bio-active peptide, angiotensin II (Ang II), has been suggested to exert a neuromodulatory effect on inner retinal neurons. In this study, we examined the distribution of angiotensin receptors (ATRs) in the developing and mature rat retina and optic nerve using immunofluorescence immunocytochemistry. Double-labeling experiments were performed with established markers to identify different retinal cell populations. In adult retinae, ATRs were observed on neurons involved in "ON" pathways of neurotransmission. Angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1Rs) were expressed by a sub-population of "ON" cone bipolar cells that also labeled for Gα0 and islet-1. Extra-neuronal expression of AT1Rs was ev..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Kirstan Vessey Author

Michael Pianta Author

Algis Vingrys Author

Jenny Wilkinson-Berka Author

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank Ms. Kate Hatzopoulos, The University of Melbourne, for assistance with sectioning of the developmental tissue. This work was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (NHMRC grant #350434 to E. L. F. and #350224 to A. J. V., and #299974 to J.L.W.-B. & E.L.F.) J.L.W.-B. is an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow B).