Observation of the distribution of glutamate of the reconstructed RCS rat's retina after transplanting photoreceptor cells

Objective: Photoreceptor cells transplantation was used to determine the localization of the amino acid excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in Royal College of Surgeons Rat (RCS rat). Method: The healthy photoreceptor cells of Wistar rats were grafted into the sub-retinal space of the left eye of the RCS rat by outer-path way. 2 weeks later, host animals were sacrificed. Both sides of eyes were examined for light microscopic analysis. So did the 74 days in Wistar rats and 74 days in RCS rats. Immunocytochemistry was used to determine the localization of the amino acid neurotransmitters (glutamate). The relative density of the glutamate-like immunoreactivity (IR) neurofibrilla in inner plexiform layer (IPL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the four groups was gauged. Results: After 2 weeks of transplantation, the transplanted photoreceptor cells survived and the outer plexiform layer was rebuilt. There were significant differences in the level of the relative density of the glutamate-like immunoreactivity (IR) in neurofibrilla in inner plexiform layer (IPL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the four groups within the IPL between the grafted eyes and the control eyes of RCS rats. Conclusion: These results suggest that the level of glutamate neurotransmitters in the reconstructed retina is almost normal, which indicate the function of the morbid retina may be resumed by transplanting the photoreceptor cells.