Microglial depletion decreases Muller cell maturation and inner retinal vascular density.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The neuroretinal vascular system is comprised of three interconnected layers. The initial superficial vascular plexus formation is guided by astrocytes around birth in mice. The formation of the deep and intermediate vascular plexuses occurs in the second postnatal week and is driven by Müller-cell-derived angiogenic signaling. Previously, we reported that microglia play an important role in regulating astrocyte density during superficial vascular plexus formation. Here, we investigated the role of microglia in regulating Müller-cell-dependent inner retinal vascular development.

Methodology

In this study, we depleted microglia during retinal development using Csf1R antagonist (PLX5622). We characterized the developmental progression of inner retinal vascular growt

SUBMITTER: Rowthorn-Apel N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11831819 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature