Structure and function of bistratified intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in the mouse.

ABSTRACT: A subpopulation of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) expresses the photopigment melanopsin, rendering these cells intrinsically photosensitive (ipRGCs). These cells are critical for competent circadian entrainment, pupillary light reflex, and other non-imaging-forming photic responses. Research has now demonstrated the presence of multiple subpopulations of ipRGC based on the dendritic stratification in the inner plexiform layer (IPL), those monostratified in the Off sublamina (M1), those monostratified in the On sublamina (M2,4,5), and those bistratified in both the On and the Off sublaminae (M3). Despite evidence that M1 and M2 cells are distinct subpopulations of ipRGC based on distinct morphological and physiological properties, the inclusion of M3 cells as a distinct subtype has remained

SUBMITTER: Schmidt TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3714856 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature