Melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells on macaque and human retinas form two morphologically distinct populations.

ABSTRACT: The long-term goal of this research is to understand how retinal ganglion cells that express the photopigment melanopsin, also known as OPN4, contribute to vision in humans and other primates. Here we report the results of anatomical studies using our polyclonal antibody specifically against human melanopsin that confirm and extend previous descriptions of melanopsin cells in primates. In macaque and human retina, two distinct populations of melanopsin cells were identified based on dendritic stratification in either the inner or the outer portion of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Variation in dendritic field size and cell density with eccentricity was confirmed, and dendritic spines, a new feature of melanopsin cells, were described. The spines were the sites of input from DB6 diffuse b

SUBMITTER: Liao HW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4970949 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature